March 25 | London, UK [Darell J. Philip]
Pastors, elders, church members and friends both past and present came together in person and online to celebrate the 45th Anniversary of the formation of the London Hackney church. The full-day celebration, which ended with an evening concert, took place at the Bridge Academy, on Sabbath 22 February.
Among the special guests were Britain’s first black female member of parliament and the current serving ‘Mother of the House’, and South England Conference (SEC) President, Kirk Thomas.
The adult Sabbath School Lesson was presented by Hackney’s former First Elder, John Mathieu, alongside former pastor of the church, Simeon Esson. The Sabbath School Mission Story highlighted snippets of Hackney’s 45-year history presented by founder members of the church, telling the story of how those from the Windrush generation came together, often working two jobs to secure a place of worship on 12 February 1980 for themselves and their families. They described how they pulled together to serve the physical and spiritual needs of both the church and the community around them.
In a pre-recorded message from Jamaica, Pastor Humphrey Walters spoke fondly of the years he had spent leading the Hackney members before taking up an appointment as the SEC President – a pattern which would also be repeated during the tenure of his successor, Pastor Sam Davis, a former pastor of Hackney.
Hackney’s Legacy Choir, led by Lloyd Reid, sang ‘Marvellous’ while a slide show played in remembrance of those who passed to their rest during the 45 years of the church. The Junior Sabbath School told the story of Hackney’s 45-year journey with the Lord, including insight from one of the founding members, Petra Constantine, via a pre-recorded video.
Myrtle O’Keefe, daughter of Hackney’s first head elder, the late Curtis Bruce Sr, performed the song ‘Faith That Reaches the Unreachable.’ Pastor Stephen McKenzie, who grew up in Hackney Church and was originally part of its parent congregation, Stoke Newington, shared a powerful message. He encouraged members to reflect on the past as a way to move forward with purpose, drawing inspiration from Philippians 3:14: “Press toward the mark of the high calling through Christ Jesus, the Lord.”
In the previous week, three members were honoured for their years of service to the church during a special prayer meeting on 12th February 2025. Yvonne Waithe was recognised as the longest-serving Interest Coordinator, Ruby Merchant, the longest-serving Church Clerk, and Ann Williams, the church’s oldest living founding member at 94 years old.
During the Sabbath afternoon programme, three more founding members were honoured similarly. Marguerita Bruce, wife of the late Curtis Bruce Sr, along with Dorina Williams and Petra Constantine—all originally from the Caribbean island of St Lucia—received awards presented by Diane Abbott MP, who thanked them for their service to the church over its 45-year history. Patsy Reid, a founding member, presented Diane Abbott MP with a colourful bouquet as a token of appreciation.
Pastor Joojo Bonnie, a former Hackney pastor and now the SEC Teens Director, offered a prayer for the honourees and for Diane Abbott MP, all of whom graciously received both the prayers and floral tributes.
The evening concluded with a concert featuring a variety of artists, including Hackney Legacy Choir, Myrtle O’Keefe, Deborah Waisome, Pastor Vaughn Thorpe, Generation X, The Lewisham Worship Team, Representatives of His House, Gill Francis, Tara Goddard, and Clive Brown & Urban Sound. Through music and song, both the performers and the congregation expressed praise and gratitude, celebrating God’s guidance of Hackney Church over the past 45 years and beyond.
Featured image: from left to right: Herminia Mathieu, Diane Abbot MP, Kirk Thomas, and Jo Jo Boney
Photos: Joshua Amartey (celebration day) and Lenny Ogun (East London School of Music)
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