Why Elim

Elim Pentecostal Church Wimbledon was founded in 1928 after George Jeffreys, founder of the Elim movement, held meetings in Wimbledon.   For many years the church met in a former doctor’s surgery in Southey Road and then in 1980 it was given a small chapel in Montague Road.   As numbers increased the Montague Road premises became too small and in 2004 the church began meeting in Pelham School in Southey Road whilst looking for larger premises.  Eventually the current premises in High Path, Merton were acquired and redevelopment commenced to convert the commercial unit into an auditorium capable of seating 250 people, with associated meeting rooms and offices.  The new church building was opened in 2008.

Elim Pentecostal Church Wimbledon is one of 550 Elim congregations in the United Kingdom and Ireland and over 9,000 worldwide (See www.elim.org.uk).  It takes its name from the oasis in the Sinai desert where God’s people found shade and refreshment during their journey from slavery in Egypt to the promised land.  Elim churches hold to the same fundamental truths as other mainline Christian churches, including the divine inspiration of the Bible, the Trinity, the true humanity and deity of Jesus Christ and the necessity of a personal faith in Jesus for our salvation.  (See www.elim.org.uk/Groups/112249/What_we_believe.aspx)  They place particular emphasis on the empowering of Christians for service through baptism in the Holy Spirit.

Four tenets of Elim Pentecostal churches are:-

• Reach up to God in Worship
• Reach out to the community in service
• Share the difference that Jesus Christ makes to lives
• Challenge the trend towards declining church attendance

The main worship service at Elim Pentecostal Church Wimbledon is held every Sunday at 11.00am and lasts for about 90-110 minutes.   It includes worship, inspirational biblical teaching as well as breaking bread together 2-3 times a month.  During the service there is also a separate Children’s Church, a creche for toddlers and pre-school children, and a baby room where parents can look after their children whilst watching the service on a video link.  There are also separate youth activities on alternate Sundays and a fortnightly youth activity on Saturdays between 3.00-4.00pm.

As part of our service to the community, we house the Wimbledon & Merton, Options Pregnancy Advice Centre. We are also working with the Trussell Trust and Merton Council to establish a Food Bank to provide emergency food supplies to local people in crisis situations.

Elim Pentecostal Church Wimbledon is at 59 High Path, Wimbledon, SW19 2JY.  It is  5 minutes’ walk from Wimbledon South Tube Station (Northern Line) and Merton High Street.  There is a small car park with additional parking in High Path.