George Jeffreys founded Elim in 1915, in Monaghan, Ireland, and since then the Movement has grown to over 550 churches in the UK and Ireland, and over 9000 worldwide. Although Jeffreys was an outstanding evangelist and church planter, Elim grew rapidly thanks to a move of God characterized by miraculous healings and an explosion in the number of people becoming Christians. This heritage has guided
Elim for nearly a century now, with our leaders and churches consistently seeking to:
reach up to God in worship
reach out to the community in service
share the difference that Jesus Christ makes to lives
challenge the trend towards declining church attendance
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. 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 Street which was previously a Welsh Congregational Chapel. From 1971 to the present day the Elim Pentecostal Church has met in Brynhyfryd Chapel. 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 with sons Adrian and Stephen and daughter Rhiannon
1981 – 1984 Rev and Mrs N Morgan with son Jonathan and daughter Zoe
1984 – 1990 Rev and Mrs C Jones and their children
1990 – 1994 Pastor and Mrs J Masters with sons Sam and Jed and daughter Edwina
1995 – 2001 Rev and Mrs P Lloyd Rimmer with son Jonathan and daughters Naomi and Carys
2001 – 2009 Rev James and Janey Ricketts with sons Phil and Paul
2012 – Following a two year absence of a Minister, Rev David and Katie Meggers with their sons Levi and Samuel.
2016 - 2022 - New Zealander’s, Rev Angus and Keren Coney with their children Ethan and Hannah.
2022 - present - Rev James and Janey Ricketts took up the ministry for a second time
In 2024 Elim Church Holyhead was given a new name, which reflects the life and focus of the church. It is now called 'River Of Life Community Church'.
