Honouring the legacy of the Windrush generation

Beverley Hillman shares how Bonneville Church, Clapham (formerly All Nations Baptist Church) continues to hold Windrush services each June - and encourages other churches to consider doing similar

2023 was a significant year. 22 June marked the 75th anniversary of the Windrush pioneers arriving in Britain and was a Diamond Jubilee for modern Britain. It marked an important milestone in British history. A time to commemorate, celebrate and reflect on four generations of contribution, legacy, struggle and change.
 
Many organisations and churches marked Windrush 75 in a variety of ways, not just during June, but throughout the whole year. This included tributes to the NHS, also honouring its 75th anniversary. There was also more media attention and recognition about the contributions and legacies of the Windrush generation.

The Windrush 75 network led by Professor Patrick Vernon OBE (social commentator, campaigner and cultural historian), was an excellent initiative, which enabled people of all cultures to become informed and involved.
 
For Windrush 75, our church theme was ‘Honouring the Legacy of the Windrush Generation.’ Our elders are passing and we wanted to honour them in their lifetime.

We had an excellent turnout of members, family, friends and visitors. The sun was shinning and we had a jubilant time of praise and worship.
 
Our worship team sung Made a way by Travis Greene. This was appropriate as God made a way for us to finally return to our renovated church. Our new glass front building, encourages many people to curiously in look as they pass by.

A highlight of our service was the intergenerational contribution of the children singing with confidence and joy.
 
Joshua Kesler was excellent. By surprise he joined our choir and lifted us up with his ‘Old Skool,’ Caribbean medley. An emotional moment!

Pastor Paul honoured our Windrush elders with certificates and elders from our Caleb team.

Tributes to Windrush members of our church who had passed was a significant moment as we remembered them and their families, who had been invited.
 
Our powerpoint presentation aimed to commemorate, educate and celebrate the arrival of the Windrush pioneers, and to celebrate the Windrush generation and how far they had come since 1948 and changed the face of Britain. Our presentation included a tribute to Sam King MBE and to Arthur Torrington CBE of the Windrush Foundation, for their tireless dedication to document and create a lasting legacy for generations to come.
 
Faith has always been an essential focus for the Windrush generation. Faith has helped to keep hope alive, despite the struggles affecting our community and encouraged us to be resilient overcomers and keep going.



In his sermon Pastor Paul reminded us to love the Lord and listen to his voice, Deuteronomy 30: 19–20.

As we commemorate Windrush we also reflect on the injustice, suffering and trauma some of the generation have endured as a result of the Home Office scandal.

It is always an important part of our service, and our prayer warrior Sister Ify continues to pray that those suffering will trust and ‘Wait on the Lord,’ and continue to persevere until their situation is resolved.

Fellowship in our new space enabled us to meet, greet and exchange memories.

Not all churches have a Windrush service, so it is wonderful when many look forward to joining our service.

I would like to encourage other churches to hold their own Windrush services with their local community.

The Windrush service in 2022

Our church continued to undergo reconstruction and renovation in 2022. Nevertheless, we held our annual Windrush service in June with the usual spiritual energy and enthusiasm.

Our guest speaker was Tony Fairweather (CEO of Fairweather Productions and author of Twenty-Eight Pounds Ten Shillings.) He is well-known for the excellent events he has coordinated over the years. Tony shared his story of why he had written this important part of the Windrush story. It was about life on the ship, the Empire Windrush and various adventures as it journeyed to Britain.

Tony had attended our church as a child and was known to some members of our church. His family were from the well-established Balham community. Members were very pleased to reconnect with him. We wished him success with his new book and for future projects.

Sister Prudence led our worship team, and with her melodious tones passionately sang, ‘Psalm 121,’ My help cometh from the Lord. Her husband Brother Tony Dabor selected the scripture reading.

Brother Errol, recounted his story and experiences of coming to England. He had mixed memories of settling into life in Britain, especially in the early days. Some of his experiences were familiar to the congregation.
 
Our sermon was led by Elder Linda. She linked the sermon with the experiences and stories of the Windrush generation and roles and commitment, for developing responsibility, as new wine in our church.

Reflections led to a new name for our church from All Nations back to Bonneville Church, which means a ‘Good place.’

Our prayer warrior Sister Ify prayed for the future development of our church and the congregation.

Her prayers included hope for a better world and peace around the earth.
 

Beverley Hillman is a member of Bonneville Church, Clapham, London SW4