A History of AFC

How it all began …

On 11th January 1953, 28 Christians covenanted together to become Adeyfield Free Church (Congregational) although work and witness had been going on for some time in the neighbourhood. Adeyfield was the first of the new neighbourhoods in Hemel Hempstead , and in 1949 the Hertfordshire Congregational Union, jointly with the Alexandra Road Congregational church, accepted a site for a new church on the corner of Leverstock Green Road and St Albans Road. As the work grew, Hertfordshire Congregational Union commissioned Mr H Holland to design a dual purpose hall on the site. The foundation stone was laid on 23rd May 1953 and the new building was formally opened and dedicated on 9th January 1954. This was the building which was used by AFC right up until 2018.

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75 AFC foundation03-1024x683 75 Laying-Brick

At the end of 1953 the church called its’ first minister, Rev Frank W Hewis. Under his leadership the fellowship grew and began to be seen as a focus for Christian worship in Adeyfield and Leverstock Green. In 1970, Rev David Skidmore took over and in October 1972 Adeyfield Free Church became part of the new United Reformed Church.
The original plans for the site had included the provision of a church building in addition to the hall, and in 1972 a Special Church Meeting unanimously agreed on an outline brief for a new building for worship containing a permanent sanctuary and an area that could be used both for worship and other compatible activities.
In 1973 Professor John Musgrove was appointed architect and the foundation stone was laid on 4th October 1975.
A year later, on 3rd October 1976, the first services of worship were held. This building cost £75,000 including fixtures and furnishings.
All the fixtures and furnishings in the sanctuary were designed by the architect and hand-made by local craftsmen. Mr Peter Wilder of Stokenchurch made the cross, the new communion table and the clock casing and Mr Ken Snoxall of Boxmoor made the pulpit, the lectern and the communion chairs. The new building was dedicated on 6th November 1976.

A new vision …

In 2000, God gave AFC a vision for growth and a new heart for sharing His love with the local community. After lots of prayer and consideration we heard the call to move from our current site to a new development in the heart of Maylands. In 2010, the project MAX (Maylands Expansion) team was formed.
After investigating many different opportunities in 2014, we began working with Hightown Homes to be part of a new development on the corner of Maylands Avenue and Wood Lane End, including low cost housing, shops and a new building for the church.
This new building gives us purpose built facilities to enable us to more effectively help and support the local community and includes a dedicated space for Fingerprints Preschool, children and family activities, counselling as well as better facilities for all our other groups. It also provides a valuable resource for the community.

Key Dates …

1949 Site allocated to Herts Congregational Union and Alexander Road Congregations Church

1951 Sunday School founded by group of Christian Women

1952 Services held in Maylands School Hall with student pastors from New College, London

1953 Adeyfield Free Church (Congregational) was officially created

1953 November. Rev Frank Hewis inducted as Minister

1953 May. Foundation stone laid for dual purpose hall

1954 January 9th. New building formally opened with dedication service

1970 March. Rev David Skidmore inducted as minister

1972 AFC becomes part of the new United Reformed Church

1975 October. New foundation laid for new church to be added to existing building

1976 October. First services held in new building

1976 November. Church dedicated

1980 July. Rev Derek Newton inducted as minister

1988 Rev Richard Davis inducted as minister

1990 Church report states that there are now 235 Members and 100 adherents

1996 April Rev John Hardaker inducted as minister

2009 March Rev Peter Blackband inducted as minister

2014 Negotiations started with High Town Homes for developing new site on Maylands Avenue

2015 Contract signed and work begun on new site

2019 December19th Building was handed over to the church

2020 First service was held at the Adeyfield Free Church Centre then we closed a few weeks later due to Covid.

2021 Services resumed

2022 July 17th Dedication and Blessing Service

2022 November 12th Rev Paul Stein was inducted as minister of AFC and St. Georges

Hello and welcome to our church. If you are a new visitor, we have a page for you to get to know us and learn more about planning a visit.
Click here to see more.

Visitors click here.

Planning your Visit

A Warm Hello

The following information is specifically for those planning a visit, so that you know what to expect before you arrive on a Sunday morning.

Where and When

We meet in the Worship room at the Adeyfield Free Church Centre each Sunday starting at 10:00am. On Sundays we enter via the garden, using either gate, from the lower carpark.
Find us

We recommend arriving 5-10 minutes early to ensure you get a parking space and find somewhere to sit before the service begins. When you arrive, you should be greeted at the hall door by a member of our Welcome Team.
We serve tea, coffee and biscuits after the service and you are welcome to join us. It is a great way to meet people. All refreshments are free but there is a plate for donations.

Accessibility: There is wheelchair access, and a sound loop for anyone who needs it. Please let one of the Welcome Team know on your arrival and they will help you to get set up. There is a disabled toilet on the same level as the worship room and hall.

Our Service

The main service begins at 10am with a warm welcome from one of our team members. We then share news and notices, usually about what’s going on in the life of the church and upcoming events and activities. Then follows a time of sung worship, led by our band. We typically have a few songs lasting approximately 10 - 15 minutes. We then have prayers and a reading from the bible on which the sermon is based. Our minister or one of our leaders will then give a sermon which is usually very practical and we are encouraged to apply it to our everyday life. We then finish with a final worship song and blessing. There is an opportunity to receive prayer at the end of the service. Communion is usually held on the second Sunday of the month.

What about my kids?

Children stay with their parent or grown-up at the start of the service for the welcome, notices and songs . We really value worshipping God all together as a family. At the end of the songs someone will announce that it’s time for the younger members to go to their various groups. Children usually go out with their group leaders, you are welcome to take them the first few times and then join us back in the worship hall. have a great programme lined up for kids of all ages:

0-2 years meet in the Creche. We have a room close to the worship room for those with very young children. Children must be accompanied by their parent/grown-up at all times.
3-6 years meet 3 out of 4 Sundays in the Playroom
7-11 years meet 3 out of 4 Sundays in the Children's room
11 years + meet 3 out of 4 Sundays in the Youth room.
Young adults usually stay in service.

The kids group activities vary depending on the age but usually there is a friendly welcome, bible stories, praying, craft, fun games and free play. Please pick your children up as soon as the service finishes.

Getting Connected

Small Groups

While Sundays are a great way to meet new people, it is often in smaller gatherings that you can really get to know someone. Being part of one of our small groups allows you to make new friends, share together and support each other. We have a variety of groups that meet throughout the week, some afternoons and some evenings some on zoom. Check out Small Groups and see if there’s one that you could join, or we can put you in touch with a small group leader who will be more than happy to invite you along to their group.

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Serving and Volunteering

If you want to get involved in the life of the church and help us make Sundays run smoothly, you can sign up to serve on a team in due course.

Get in touch with us to plan your visit

If you would like to come and visit the church beforehand you are more than welcome! Get in touch and we can arrange a time that suits you.

Name:

Telephone:

Email Address:
Comments / Questions or anything you would like to say?

Next, we will contact you by email to say hello and help arrange anything necessary for your visit.

Leadership


Rev Paul Stein - Minister/Pastor

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