Wembley Gospel Hall’s story began over a century ago. It started with a group of local Christians meeting in a hall opposite Alperton Station around 1894. They were driven by their faith.
The Wembley Gospel Hall building opened in 1924. It stands on the corner of Clayton Avenue. The Christians there preached a simple message. Their founder died for the sins of the world. He rose from the tomb and lives today. That founder is Jesus Christ.
These Christians invited people to find forgiveness, peace, joy and satisfaction in Jesus. They visited the district with literature and invitations. Visitors were always welcome at Wembley Gospel Hall.
The Gospel Hall movement finds its roots in the first assembly of Christians in Jerusalem. This began around AD32 according to Acts 2:42. Gospel Halls see themselves as part of a long line of independent evangelical witness. This testimony began in the 1800s. New independent assemblies appeared worldwide. They sought to recover New Testament beliefs and practices. These had been largely lost.
Christians in Gospel Halls generally avoid sectarian names. They describe themselves simply as Christians. They gather in the name of the Lord Jesus. This has been a long-standing practice. They believe a scriptural Christian assembly should avoid denominational titles.
Gospel Halls follow New Testament church doctrine and practice. They find this in the Acts of the Apostles. The Apostle Paul explained it in his epistles. They reference the Bible alone as their authority.
Assemblies in Gospel Halls have no ordained ministers. Each assembly is an autonomous body of baptized believers. Local assemblies are led by pastors or elders. There is no central authority or formal creed.
Numerous hymn books are used among Gospel Halls. These include The Believer’s Hymn Book and Hymns of Light and Love. North American assemblies generally do not use musical accompaniment in worship.
Several weekly meetings are convened at Gospel Halls. These include the Lord’s Supper. Sunday school, gospel preaching, prayer meetings, Bible teaching and Bible study.
Gospel Halls are involved in spreading the gospel. They do this through public preaching and literature. They also use Bible exhibitions and Sunday schools. Radio programs, prison visits, and gospel tent meetings are common. They distribute gospel tracts and calendars. Open-air preaching is also common.
Conferences are a significant feature of life among Gospel Halls. Many host annual conferences with Bible teaching. In the UK these are one-day events. In North America they span a weekend. Residential Bible study weeks are also held.
Gospel Halls avoid calling their buildings churches. They prefer Gospel Hall to show that the gospel is preached there. They do not consider their buildings sacred.
Literature has always been emphasized among Gospel Halls. John Ritchie Ltd. publishes material from authors connected with Gospel Halls. They also publish The Believer’s Magazine. Other magazines include Assembly Testimony and Precious Seed. Wembley Gospel Hall continues this tradition of spreading the Gospel.