As the Movement grew with amazing rapidity against the background of dramatic decline in the historic churches, it proved to be a fitting symbol of spiritual refreshing.

Elim continued to grow despite the ravages of World War two and other difficulties and soon established itself as a Pentecostal power in the evangelisation of the United Kingdom. Today, there are over 500 churches in the home land, and nearly 9000 world-wide.

Ministers are trained at its official residential college in Nantwich- Regents Theological College, accredited by Manchester University for the B.A. and M.A. degrees. Its global thrust is spearheaded by the International Missions Board, which operates in 35 countries, with orphanages, hospitals and schools as well as churches.

It has a vibrant Home Missions policy and is committed to the evangelisation of the UK and the planting of new churches.

The winning of young people to Jesus is an important part of Elim's mission, and this is directed by its Christian Youth Ministries directed by the 'Serious4God Team'.

The Beginnings of Elim in Holyhead

Back in 1935 a team of evangelists came to Holyhead to hold a tent campaign sharing the good news of Jesus Christ and salvation to the people. A marquee was put up on a field at the back of Newry Street.  Pastor Edward Jeffries was the leader of the team. Edward’s father Stephen and brother George had already been touring the UK and overseas preaching the gospel and also praying for sick people to be healed. A great impact was made on the people of Holyhead and large crowds attended meetings every night for many weeks. The pubs and cinemas were left half empty. Lives were changed, people were converted in large numbers and many were healed of their sicknesses. Some are still alive today and can testify to the healing and saving power of Jesus Christ.

Following the outcome of such times of blessing, it was felt that a building was needed to enable people to meet on a regular basis to worship God.  A place was chosen in Trearddur Square and was built by uncle and nephew team David and John Williams. The new church was called ‘Bethel Temple’. A minister was appointed to care for the congregation by the name of Pastor Rees Edwards of Ammanford in South Wales. This new pastor worked along with his wife to further the proclamation of the Gospel and extending of the kingdom of God.

Not long after this time, the Elim Foursquare Gospel Alliance stepped into the work in Holyhead and appointed Pastor Lesley Hawes and his wife in 1945 to lead the church They had a son Gaius and a daughter Pearl. The format of the meetings continued as set out in the beginning. Sunday morning and evening services with Sunday School in the afternoon. Prayer meeting on Tuesday afternoon and Bible study on Thursday evenings. There was a ladies fellowship on Tuesday afternoons and Sunshine Corner meetings ‘For Children under 99’  Also there were Saturday evening celebration gatherings each week and also an after church meeting at 7.30 on a Sunday evening. This enabled members of other denominations who desired to join in the Pentecostal experience to come along and hear words of testimony and song. The singing af the Moody and Sankey Hymns was thrilling for the congregation as they praised God for the wonderful work done in their lives.

In the 1950’s pastor and Mrs FJ Day were appointed to the church with their daughter Carol, as pastor and Mrs Hawes were called to another pastorate. Then came Pastor and Mrs A Johnson. Then came Pastor and Mrs R Smith with their son David and daughter Christine. During this time it was discovered that the building in Trearddur Square was in need of major repairs and unsuitable for services as it failed to meet the councils criteria for public usage. Another building became available in London Rd. This building had originally been a Welsh Chapel but for many years had been used as a food storage depot. Negotiations were made with the owners and the building purchased by the Elim Pentecostal Church and re established as a place of worship in the 1960’s

In the early 1960’s, Pastor and mrs R Hodge came to the Holyhead pastorate with daughter Pamela and son Philip. They were followed by Pastor and Mrs H Dawson with their son Peter and daughter Sharon. Between 1969 and 1971 Rev and Mrs Derek Ricketts came into the ministry at Holyhead with their sons John, David, James and Simon. At this time the opportunity arose to move to a larger church premises near the town centre. It was decided by the members to sell the church in London Rd and purchase Brynhyfryd Chapel in Thomas St which was previously a Welsh Congregational Chapel.

From 1971 to the present day the Elim Pentecostal Church has met in Brynhyfryd Chapel and God’s Kingdom is steadily advancing due to the dedicated work of God’s servants throughout the years. We are grateful to the commitment of :-

1971 – 1976  Rev and Mrs F Evans

1976 – Rev and Mrs T Miles and sons Gary and Mark

1978 – 1981 Rev and Mrs A Jones, Sons Adrian and Stephen and daughter Rhiannon

1981 – 1984 Rev and Mrs N Morgan, Son Jonathan and daughter Zoe

1984 – 1990 Rev and Mrs C Jones, son and daughter

1990 – 1994 Pastor and Mrs J Masters, sons Sam and Jed and daughter Edwina.

1995 – 2001 Rev and Mrs  P Lloyd Rimmer with son Jonathan and daughters Naomi and Carys

2001 – present day Rev and Mrs J Ricketts with sons Phil and Paul.

2007 – The old site in Trearddur Square where Bethel Temple stood has been used to build a block of flats called ‘Town Row House’

The Chapel in London Rd has been completely refurbished to a high standard and is used as a community centre providing facilities for that area :- Music room, Conference room, office and gym. It even has a café called ‘Sunshine Corner’ as some staff remember the old ‘Sunshine Corner’ of the 1960’s and 70’s

Brynhyfryd Chapel, Thomas St. The preaching of the gospel continues as well as reaching out to the town. The ‘School room’ has been re developed to provide better facilities for the church and a meeting place for youth of the town complete with pool tables, table tennis and table football and Coffee bar.

Many thanks to Harold and Joyce Jones for the above article