South of Reading Christian Fellowship

History of this Church

The original Church, (known as Mitford Mission Hall) and later as the Mitford Hall Full Gospel Church, was built in 1885 by William Palmer and so we are a long established church.

William Palmer a well known philanthropist, who founded the Reading Temperance Society in 1832, initiated the vision which was the holding of Evangelistic Services, Missionary Meetings, Bible Classes, Sunday Schools and other activities related to the Christian faith. The catchment area was to be Three Mile Cross and the neighbourhood including Spencers Wood. Today this includes a wider area taking in other places where members live and opportunities present themselves.

Previous Missioners and Pastors were Albert Fifield (1887-1927), Ernest Green (1928-1955) and Thomas Moss (1955-1968). Although from 1968-1977 there was no permanent leadership, changes began to take place. In 1977 John Angliss became Pastor and the Church experienced restoration and a new growth and direction.

Ultimately the Mitford House (for some years a caretakers cottage and a listed building) was "sold", the old Church buildings were demolished and a new complex known as the Three Mile Cross Church Centre was built. Use commenced in July 1985, and the name of the Fellowship was changed to South of Reading Christian Fellowship.  The premises were further extended in 2003 and we are currently implementing further needed expansion.

Since then further growth has taken place, activities have increased and others now help in the leadership.

Future

In our vision we anticipate further expansion and continued growth.