Our Story
Freedom Worship Centre's History
Our Founders - Bishop Lemuel & Pastor Daphne Crossfield
I MUST HAVE THE SAVIOUR WITH ME
For I dare not walk alone, I must feel His presence near me and His arms around me thrown. Then my soul shall fear no ill, let Him lead me where He will, I will go without a murmur and His footsteps follow still.
Lemuel Crossfield came to the U.K. in 1959. Daphne Lewin followed shortly afterwards in the spring of 1960 and on 16th April 1960, they were married. They served in their local church in Shepherd's Bush for a few years. God then gave Bishop Crossfield a dream, showing traffic lights that were green all the way from Shepherds bush to Southall. This was the mandate that Bishop used to go and reside in Southall and to start the work there.
In 1964, the Church of God Pentecostal held the original church services in the bedroom of Bishop Crossfield's home but as it grew numerically, the bedroom could no longer contain it. In answer to prayer, the Lord directed them to a minister at the Southall Baptist Church who allowed them to use the church hall on a temporary basis. In 1967, they moved to Featherstone Road where they hired the London Co-operative hall. The Church had to move again and this time they hired a hall on Brent Road, which they occupied for seven years.
For I dare not walk alone, I must feel His presence near me and His arms around me thrown. Then my soul shall fear no ill, let Him lead me where He will, I will go without a murmur and His footsteps follow still.
Lemuel Crossfield came to the U.K. in 1959. Daphne Lewin followed shortly afterwards in the spring of 1960 and on 16th April 1960, they were married. They served in their local church in Shepherd's Bush for a few years. God then gave Bishop Crossfield a dream, showing traffic lights that were green all the way from Shepherds bush to Southall. This was the mandate that Bishop used to go and reside in Southall and to start the work there.
In 1964, the Church of God Pentecostal held the original church services in the bedroom of Bishop Crossfield's home but as it grew numerically, the bedroom could no longer contain it. In answer to prayer, the Lord directed them to a minister at the Southall Baptist Church who allowed them to use the church hall on a temporary basis. In 1967, they moved to Featherstone Road where they hired the London Co-operative hall. The Church had to move again and this time they hired a hall on Brent Road, which they occupied for seven years.
Expanding the vision...
A breakthrough came for them in May 1973 when they were able to purchase the existing Church land on Western Road, Southall, where we worship to this present day!
In 1996, the original church was demolished and rebuilt. This allowed the entrance of the building to be aligned to the main road, making the church more visible.
Bishop was a prolific business man. He was one of the first black owners of a coach business. He was well known and respected by the wider church community for the great service he provided, while running the business.
Bishop Lemuel and Pastor Daphne Crossfield were able to return to the land of their birth for a period of 16 years. They returned to the UK in August 2016, for the wedding of one of their granddaughters; it was during this trip that Bishop was diagnosed with a terminal illness.
Bishop Lemuel Crossfield went home to be with the Lord on Wednesday 21st December 2016.
Pastor Daphne stayed in the UK for a further three years. She went home to be with the Lord on Tuesday 31st March 2020. They were blessed with five children, ten grandchildren and great grandchildren.
Bishop Lemuel and Pastor Daphne Crossfield were able to return to the land of their birth for a period of 16 years. They returned to the UK in August 2016, for the wedding of one of their granddaughters; it was during this trip that Bishop was diagnosed with a terminal illness.
Bishop Lemuel Crossfield went home to be with the Lord on Wednesday 21st December 2016.
Pastor Daphne stayed in the UK for a further three years. She went home to be with the Lord on Tuesday 31st March 2020. They were blessed with five children, ten grandchildren and great grandchildren.
