New research acknowledges 'largely overlooked experiences and contributions of Black church members'
A project helping Baptist churches in Birmingham explore the stories of their first Black church members, deacons and ministers has shared its findings
The Birmingham Baptist Churches exploring their Black History (BBCEBH) research project began in January 2025, and its findings were made available on dedicated webpages on 1 October 2026, to mark Black History Month.
The project builds on work already undertaken in the West Midlands to uncover some of the earliest known examples of Black ministers leading local churches in Britain, such as the Revds George Cosens and Peter Stanford.
The new research shares the stories of the Revd Glenford Gordon, Esmie Mignott, Hazel Nunes, Jeff Nunes, Cassetta Williams, Thelma Balfour, Lebert Balfour, Louise Pennicooke, Gloria Richards, and Lincoln Morrison and the churches they belonged to, namely Cannon Street Memorial Baptist Church, Highgate Baptist Church, New Christ Baptist Church, and Edward Road Baptist Church, Selly Park Baptist Church and Six Ways Erdington Baptist Church.
The BBCEBH Project is a research project of the Centre for Baptist Studies (CBS) at Regent's Park College, University of Oxford, and is led by the Revd Canon Dr Gale Richards, Postdoctoral Research Fellow at CBS.
Gale explained how the project has helped the six participating churches to 're-narrate their church histories, in ways that acknowledge the largely overlooked experiences and contributions of some of their Black church members.'
Each of the participating churches’ stories provide 'important insights into the impact of migration, how racial discrimination can be addressed, and how multicultural or intercultural communities can be established.'
Gale worked with adults and young people within six Baptist churches (co-researchers) to undertake archival research and oral history interviews.
She said: "I think a real strength of the project is that it has brought together people of different ages and ethnic and social backgrounds to explore a shared history.
"We have found stories to celebrate and stories to lament, but ultimately, we have been left with a strong conviction that God continues to work powerfully in and through the local church to transform not just individual lives but whole villages, towns, and cities.
"I pray the stories of these inspirational leaders and influential churches captured in this project are a powerful reminder of all that God can enable."
All six of the project churches are hosting events in October to celebrate the launch of the project findings.
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10-11 October: Six Ways Erdington Baptist Church
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16 and 25 October: Cannon Street Memorial Baptist Church
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18 October: Highgate Baptist Church
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25 October: New Christ Baptist Church
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21 October and 1 November: Cornerstone Baptist Church (the new name following the merger of Edward Road Baptist Church and Selly Park Baptist Church)
03/10/2026