9th June 2023

Windrush 75 Press Release

Brixton Seventh-day Adventist Church and Life Radio UK are hosting a church service to mark the 75th anniversary of the arrival of the Empire Windrush in Tilbury, bringing with it the Windrush Pioneers in 1948, and heralding the birth of the Windrush Nation. The service will be held at the Brixton Seventh-day Adventist Church, Santley Street, London SW4 7QG, on Saturday 24 June at 11am. The Brixton area played a key role in the Windrush story because it was in the underground shelters below Clapham South Underground Station that hundreds of settlers found temporary accommodation.

The Pioneers of the ‘Windrush Nation’ demonstrated courage and enterprise in making the journey, and they went on to make significant contributions in the rebuilding of Great Britain, and paved the way for many successes we see today in the UK Black community. The service is a fitting way to honour their pioneering spirit, and it will feature tributes by representatives from the armed-forces, NHS, and the Metropolitan Police. Deputy Lieutenant, Christopher Wellbelove will be representing the Lord Lieutenant, the King’s Representative in Greater London, and we will also be joined by other civic dignitaries, including the Mayor of Lambeth, Cllr. Sarbaz Barznji. Prof. Sir Geoff Palmer, Chancellor of Heriot-Watt University will begin the service by contextualising Windrush on the timeline of Black History. The service will also witness the debut of the ‘Windrush Nation’ anthem, commissioned by Life Radio UK and Reach Society, for use whenever we gather to mark the achievements of the past and to inspire the future generations.

CEO & Founder of Life Radio UK, Mike Johnson says, “The faith of the Pioneers should never be underestimated or forgotten because they brought their faith with them, and it gave them hope in difficult and challenging times. When they attended branches of the mainstream churches they attended back in the West Indies, they were rejected, but that drove them on to establish their own churches, resulting in the UK Black church population increasing whilst others are declining. A religious thanksgiving service is most appropriate.”

Pastor Richard Daly says, “It was the Windrush generation that kept the Seventh-day Adventist church from declining in the 1950s and 1960s. Membership within the church had become static and with minimal growth through new converts, the resulting decline in attendance would have seen a drastic affect within the church organisation. However, those who came from the Caribbean not only brought life back into the church, but also a vibrant form of worship and a more enthusiastic approach to evangelism. By the end of the 1960s, the Seventh-day Adventist church was thriving with many new members and congregations being established. Today, we still see the positive effects of the Windrush pioneers passed on through the succeeding generations within the church and we are honoured that we can recognise their achievements through this celebratory service.”

Editor’s Note:

Life Radio UK is a Christian radio station that offers a combination of programmes, and music that will enable the listener to answer some of the questions they face on a daily basis. Programmes cover issues around faith, family, finance, personal health, relationships, and issues in society. We discuss all ideas and respect all opinions; cultural diversity is valued, and the disadvantaged are included.

The Brixton SDA Church is a community of people who are striving together to discover God’s purpose and plan for our lives. It is our desire to invite others to become part of this community because when it comes to building a foundation for your life, there is no better place to start than your local church. We offer a range of services and opportunities that can help the individuals and families in our community re-discover the simple joys of life, find the courage to face the future unafraid, and cope with the day-to-day challenges of life.

Media contacts:

Mike Johnson
+44 7757 816316
Email: [email protected]

Kellee Halliburton
+44 7507 686862 [email protected]