New Church Building at Birthplace of Villa

A major new 1000-seater church on the site of the birthplace of Aston Villa Football Club opens its door this week for a three day launch celebration (Saturday December 12 – Monday December 14).

The New Testament Church of God in Lozells, whose previous building was demolished in autumn 2007, is set to open a new £5.2M building with a special dedication service to be held on Saturday 12 December at 2pm.

Designed by Paul Henry Architects and Project Managers Ltd and built by Midlands-based Adonis Construction Limited, the new edifice includes energy-saving features and all the mod-cons of a modern building. Funding for the project currently comes solely from members and friends of the church, representing a significant commitment and major investment by the community into the South Lozells area.

Given the history associated with the previous church building, expectations are understandably high for this new complex, located on Lozells Road. In 1874, members of what was then called Aston Villa Methodist Church, founded Aston Villa Football Club, and William McGregor, founding father of the Football League, was also a member of the church. Purchased by New Testament Church of God in 1962, they have maintained the pioneering spirit in ways of their own, establishing Ebenezer Bible Institute in 1963 – the first UK Bible School to be initiated by West Indians.

Then in 1975, Justin Lewis founded the legendary Gospel music pioneers, The Majestic Singers - widely credited as the first concert Gospel choir in the UK.

Cllr. Sybil Spence, Lord Mayor of Birmingham in 1997 and the first black Lord Mayor of a European city, is also a long-standing member of the church.

Not forgetting their pastor, Bishop Derek Webley, who having recently been elected as chair of West Midlands Police Authority, is not only their first independent member to be elected chair, but also the first African-Caribbean chair of any police authority in the UK.

Having spent more than 2 years without their building, Bishop Webley, who is only the fourth pastor of the church since 1962 says:

“We are pleased to be back in our home, in a new facility that will enable us to more effectively continue the 160 years of Christian witness on this site, and we shall endeavour to continue serving the community as best as we can.”

For principal architect Paul Henry and his team, who have already worked on a number of Midlands-based community projects, the finished church is the fruit of nine years’ hard work.

He said: “Throughout the entire project interaction with the community has been key. Situated in a prominent position on the border of Handsworth and Lozells, the church will doubtlessly be quickly embraced as an asset to the community and remain a real talking point”.

Adonis chairman Neville Clements could not agree more.

He said: “It’s taken 12 months to bring this project out of the ground and we are delighted with the end result. It’s exciting to work on a building that will have such a beneficial impact on so many people and we are sure it will be enjoyed by the community for many years to come.”

Aston Villa Head of Community, Duncan Riddle said: “Aston Villa are delighted that a site of such local poignancy and historical significance for the area, is once again at the heart of the community. Everyone at the club wishes the New Testament Church of God every success and longevity for the future.”

Such has been the response to news of the opening, that the dedication service, a free, ticketed event, is now full. Other activities during the weekend include the first Sunday service in the building at 10am on 13 December, followed by a Grand Celebration Concert that evening at 6pm, which features a reunion of The Majestic Singers and the launch of the 30th Anniversary edition of their 1979 album, ‘Free at Last’. Tickets are £5 and available on the church website. Finally, a community service will be held on Monday 14 December 7pm, which is a non-ticketed open event. For further details Tel. 0121 554 1358 or visit www.ntcg-handsworth.org.uk

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Bishop Dr Derek Webley MBE DL is available for interviews; please contact the church office to arrange. Tel. 0121 554 1358 / 07963 816541 Email: info@ntcg-handsworth.org.uk

Additionally, Adonis chairman Neville Clements and principal architect Paul Henry are available as spokespeople. For press enquiries, contact Sophie Hunt or Roz Golds, betterpr, tel: 01527 881965, fax: 01527 881985 Email: roz@betterpr.co.uk

Photographs of the building are available upon request from the church office. _________________________________________

21 November 2009

The Majestic Singers release 30th Anniversary album

One of Britain’s first Gospel choirs are set to re-release their 1979 album, “Free at Last”. Formed in Birmingham in 1975 by the late Justin J. Lewis, The Majestic Singers are widely credited as being one of the most important trailblazers of Gospel music in this country, due to their great sound, extensive travel and the wide cross-section of churches in which they ministered. Indeed British Black Gospel author, Steve Alexander Smith states in his recent book, that they “pioneered choral Gospel in Britain eight years before the London Community Gospel Choir popularised it.”

Former director, Paulette Peters, who now resides in Northampton, says, “As choir director, one of the first decisions I made was that we would not be a mass choir but a group of harmonised voices; hence we settled with the name “Majestic Singers” rather than “Majestic Choir”, which was one of the first suggestions.” Bishop Dr Derek Webley MBE DL, Senior Pastor of the New Testament Church of God, Handsworth, Birmingham, from which the group came, says, “The release of the album in 1979 was ground-breaking for UK Gospel music, and even the musicians/production credits testify to its historical significance.”

Produced by Les Moir, musicians on the album include Steve Thompson on piano, Revd Basil “Maestro” Meade on organ and Revd Dr Joel Edwards on guitar!

The 30th Anniversary edition CD will be officially released at a special Majestic Singers reunion concert on 13 December, which takes place during the opening weekend of the newly built New Testament Church of God, Handsworth. Tickets for the event are £5 and further details of the event are on the church’s website www.ntcg-handsworth.org.uk or call 0121 554 1358.

The CD is available from Kingship at a cost of £10 plus £1.50 p&p.

Free copies of the CD will be available to radio stations upon request - from early December.