General History of the Seventh-day Adventist Church
A Protestant, Christian denomination, the Seventh-day Adventist Church grew out of the worldwide religious revival in the mid-nineteenth century. People of many religious persuasions believed that Bible prophecies indicated that the second coming or advent of Christ was imminent.
When Christ did not come in the 1840s, a group of these disappointed Adventists in the United States continued their Bible studies and concluded that they had misinterpreted prophetic events and that the second coming of Christ was still in the future. This same group of Adventists later accepted the teaching of the seventh-day Sabbath and became known as Seventh-day Adventists. The Church was formally organized in 1863 and began its mission to the world.
Basing its faith and practice wholly on the Bible, the Seventh-day Adventist Church has developed 28 fundamental beliefs. It is these key beliefs which unify the otherwise very diverse worldwide Seventh-day Adventist Church:
The Watford Town Church Timeline from 1922 to today.
The specific timeline for the Watford Town Church details its development from its establishment on December 31, 1922, led by Pastor A. S. Maxwell, through various ministers in different decades, highlighting significant changes, expansions, and leadership transitions. The church has seen a steady progression of ministers overseeing both Watford Town and nearby congregations, with involvement in local campaigns, renovations, and a move to a larger premises in the 2010s. The timeline illustrates the church's evolution, community involvement, and continuous spiritual leadership, culminating in the current minister, Pastor Lorance Johnson, who began service in April 2023.
1920’s
The history of the Watford Town Church stems back to 31st December 1922 when Pastor A. S. Maxwell was recorded as the first church minister. On 10th June 1923, Pastor J. McAvoy ministered to the Stanborough Park and Watford Town churches. From April to October 1926, Pastor J. McMillan began his ministry and was temporarily assigned to help Watford Town church. By September 25th 1928, Pastor W. Emmerson was the local minister and was instrumental in securing the Church building in 187 Leavesden Road, Corner of Diamond Road.
1930’s
In 1935, Pastor E. Ashton was the local minister, he was also the chaplain at the local Hydro. In September 1936, Pastor W. H. Meredith was assigned to Watford Town and Stanborough Park churches and was assisted by Pastor E. Ashton. In March 1937 alterations began on the church building. In 1937, Pastor S. Bull was the Pastor assigned to the Stanborough Park and Watford Town Churches, with Pastor J. H. Bayliss joining as an assistant in November 1939.
1940’s
By February 1942, Pastor J. D. Maffey was elected to help Pastor G. D. King at Stanborough Park and Watford Town churches. June 1945 saw Pastor W. W. Armstrong serving the local congregation. By September 1946, Pastor G. D. Keough served the local area as a minister. In February of 1947 plans were created to build a hall at the rear of the church. In May 1947, Pastor W. H. Meredith was again assigned to the local Watford Town and Stanborough Park churches with Pastor F. D. Buckle assigned to assist in September of 1947. In February 1948, Pastor A. K. Armstrong was installed as the minister with responsibilities for Stanborough Park, Wembley and Edgware churches. In August 1948, Pastor S. G. Joyce conducted a local campaign. By September 1948, Pastor A. D. Buckle was again assigned the Watford Town Church along with the Edgware congregation. In September 1949, Pastor R. D. Vine became joint pastor with Pastor F. D. Buckle.
1950’s
March 1950 saw Pastor H. E. Bull as minister to the Wembley, Edgware and Watford Town Churches. By August 1951, Pastor W. L. Emmerson and associate pastor with R. D. Vine oversaw the district of churches. In October 1951, Pastor J. G. Frost became an Intern/assistant. In March 1953 Pastor K. H. Gammon was the local minister. In July 1953, Pastor K. Smith was temporarily assigned the Watford Town and Luton churches. In April 1954, Pastor A. J. Mustard served the Watford Town, Edgware and Wembley churches. By February 1956, Pastor G. T. Hewlett joined the Watford Town, Edgware and Wembley churches before being succeeded by Pastor H. S. Pearce in January 1958.
1960’s
Pastor J. C. French served the church from March 1960. In 1963, Pastor J. Mahon served the Edgware and Watford Town churches with additional South England Conference office responsibilities. April 1964 saw Pastor M. C. Murdoch serve the Watford Town, Edgware and St Albans district of churches. Pastor H. E.Bull was installed as local minister in October 1965 he also had responsibilities for the St Alban's church. 1967 sees Watford Town Church cease to be linked with Stanborough Park Church and Pastor B. A. Foster, is the resident minister for the Watford Town and Edgware churches. March 1969 sees Pastor I. R. Kinnersley, preside over the Watford Town, Edgware and Wembley Churches.
1970’s
The 70’s began with Pastor I. McGougan as the minister for Watford Town and Wembley churches. In 1972, Pastor Ernest Logan served the Stanborough Park and Watford Town churches. In November 1974, Pastor Wilfred Glew, was added to Watford Town and Wembley district. 1975 saw Pastor Edgar Warren serve the church before Pastor John P. West ministered to the Edgware and Watford Town congregations from 1977.
1980’s
Pastor Derrick Marley, was transferred from the North British Conference in June 1981 and was joined by Pastor Krzysztof Zygowiec, Pastor Marley also had responsibilities for the Hampstead church. 1982 saw Pastor Ian Sleeman intern at Hampstead and Watford Town churches. Pastor Errol Blackburn, assisted Pastor Derrick Marley from January 1983. Pastor Roy Chisholm was temporarily assigned to the Watford Town church in August/September 1985. September 1986 saw Pastor David Cox assigned the New Gallery and Watford Town churches. Pastor Ottakal Chackochen served with Pastor David Cox, also new until January 1987. November 1987 saw Pastor Vince Goddard overseeing the Watford Town, Luton and Stevenage churches. In 1989 the extension of the youth hall was completed at a cost of £65,000.
1990’s
1991 saw Pastor Michael Anim assist Pastor Vince Goddard in Watford Town, Luton and Milton Keynes churches. Pastor Aristotle Vontzalidis resided over the Watford Town and Harrow churches from September 1992 to 1996. Pastor Watson Southcott was the minister for Watford Town and Harrow churches with intern Pastor Colin Stewart to July 1997. Pastor Desmond Boldeau was temporarily assigned to the Watford Town and Harrow churches in January 1998. 1998 saw Pastor Ottakal Chackochen minister to the Watford Town and Harrow churches until 1999 when Pastor Hamilton Williams who had 50% responsibilities with the British Union Conference Church Growth department took over.
2000’s
Pastor Jeremiah Bonner served from 1999 until 2003 when Pastor Elliott Williams became the resident minister, he served for 6 years to the end of 2009. Pastor Les Ackie served the church briefly from 2009-2010.
2010’s
In 2010 Pastor Jonathan Barrett served the Watford Town and Stevenage churches alongside his wife Mary. During Pastor Barrett’s tenure, the church moved to our current larger church premises 1-5 Brixton Road, Watford WD24 4DX. Following Pastors Barrett, Pastor Andrei Balan served until May 2017. Pastor Valentine Roach (our 59th minister) served the church from May 2017 to Dec 2022.
2020’s
April 2023, Pastor Lorance Johnson was elected to serve as the 60th minister for the Watford Town Church.
