Our History
The Early Days
In 1892 William Fuller Gooch, who had been the pastor of Chatsworth Baptist Church for 14 years, resigned on account of the convictions described above. As soon as his action was known, a few friends met together in prayer to God and were subsequently led to ask Mr. Gooch to initiate a church in West Norwood on a non-sectarian basis. After much prayer and after consulting others, he agreed to do so.
Five brothers: Messieurs Bagster, Baker, Elliott, Morrison and TyrelI, met with William Gooch and unanimously agreed to the basis on which the church should be founded. At a meeting on the 4th May 1892, the principles and methods having been outlined and agreed upon, about forty people expressed their desire to launch the new venture.
The First Services
Use was obtained of Bethel Chapel, Elm Grove, for weeknight services and of the Public Hall for Sunday use. The first service to be held was a special prayer meeting on Saturday 7th May 1892, the first Sunday service taking place the following day. The first Communion service was on Sunday morning, 15th May, when one hundred and thirty people were received into membership.
The “Iron Hall”
The Lord’s blessing was at once evident. Congregations steadily increased, as did the membership of the church, mainly by new converts. To meet the growing needs of the church a part of the present site was purchased and an Iron Hall built to seat 900 people. This new hall was opened on the 12th April 1893, with a special meeting for praise and thanksgiving. The property was handed over to trustees for the use of an assembly adopting intact the Basis and Constitution set out in this handbook.
The Present Buildings
In 1897 additional land was acquired for the erection of the Lecture Hall, now known as the Fuller Gooch Hall. By 1906 a thousand members had been enrolled (twelve of whom had received the call of God to the foreign mission field). A permanent building had become an urgent necessity, and on the 7th March 1907 the building which, in its restored form, we know today was opened for public worship. Those taking a leading part in the original opening services included Sir Robert Anderson, Dr. A. T. Pierson, Bishop Hasse of the Moravian Church, and the Vicar of Christ Church, North Brixton.
During an air raid on the night of 25th March 1944 the main church building was destroyed by fire, leaving only the walls intact. This main building was restored and re-dedicated on 22nd November 1952.
The Post-War Years
Fellowship with local churches in the area has continued over the succeeding years. Combined prayer meetings and outreach events, such as Christmas and Easter open-air meetings, have taken place.
Lansdowne has always had a missionary interest and over the years the Lord has sent out a number of missionaries from the church. We try to support these members in prayer and in practical ways as they work in various parts of the world.
It is interesting to note that many of the men who began their ministry at Lansdowne are still in the ministry, serving the Lord in various parts of the country.
As well at the FIEC Easter conference, groups of church members have attended Spring Harvest and Stoneleigh weeks for holiday fellowship and have been much blessed.
Beginning in the 1990’s there has seen a big improvement in the fabric of the buildings, with the introduction of chairs instead of the old pews and alterations to the worship area and foyer. A new kitchen and crèche, together with a completely refurbished Fuller Gooch Hall have all helped to make the church more flexible in meeting the needs of members and visitors.
In 2017 we celebrated our 125th church anniversary.
PASTORS OF LANSDOWNE
William Fuller Gooch (1892-1921)
George Harper (1921-27)
Charles Fisher (1929-40)
Frederick A. Hart (1942-48)
Theodore H. Bendor-Samuel (1949-55)
Derek J. Prime (1957-69)
Raymond Lawrence (1972-75)
Derek Moore-Crispin (1978-88)
Peter Cockrell (1992-2001)
Peter Day (2003- Oct 2025)