A journey of faith.
The Well is a church with a rich history of God’s faithfulness and provision. Our story began with the arrival of the Windrush generation to the United Kingdom. The first Bethel church was established by Bishop Sydney A Dunn at 2 Gibson Road Handsworth, Birmingham, in 1955.
During the 1960s and 1970s, there was a spiritual revival in Mitcham, South West London. Lives were transformed, the sick were healed, and the downcast lifted. Feeling the call to evangelise the Brixton area, one of the leaders at this revival left to establish a new ministry in 1978.
Elder Donald Thompson and Missionary Estella Thompson were the pioneers of our church. Responding to a desire to evangelise Brixton and the surrounding area, Elder Thompson established a work in 1978.
The work started at Cambridge House Hall in Camberwell, South East London in 1978.
In 1979 the congregation relocated from Cambridge House Hall to St Giles Church Hall in Camberwell Green.
Pastor Thompson graduated from earthly ministry to heavenly rest on 20th December 1992.
Following the death of Elder Thompson, Bishop Martin
Howard Simmonds, the Diocesan for the Southeast
district, served as pastor from January 1993.
Pastor Hazel May Jacobs was known as an anointed, revelatory preacher. Moreover, she possessed a servant’s heart. She is synonymous with the word ‘FAITHFUL’. Following the death of Pastor Thompson, she played an integral role in ensuring the continuance of the work locally.
The church was renamed The Well in 2018, reflecting its changing dynamic. The vision was to be a church defined by her mission instead of her location.
in August 2021, we relocated to All Saints School following the COVID pandemic where we held services online.
On 11th October 2022, Pastor HM Jacobs was called from labour to reward. This was a significant loss to The Well, the Bethel family and the Apostolic church in the UK.
Following the passing of Pastor Jacobs, Bishop Nathan
Simmonds, the District Bishop for District 8, served as pastor from October 2022. Assisted by Elders Myers and Wright, he helped ensure that the work of God continued.
Pastor Dean Wright was installed as Pastor of The Well on 9 March 2024.
Pastor Dean is committed to faithfully serving God’s flock with love and compassion. As he commences his pastoral journey and by the grace of God, The Well will continue to be led by the Holy Spirit and be a light to the surrounding community.
After nearly 50 years of ministry in South East London, The Well (Bethel) has been blessed with a permanent place of worship. On 20 January 2025, we joyfully took possession of our new church home in South Norwood. To God be the glory!
Click to learn more about our vision and how you can get involved!
Explore faith, understand God’s plan of salvation through our Steps to Salvation course, and see what we believe as a church.
A series of teaching sessions where we take you through the fundamentals of Salvation.
To learn more about what we believe, we invite you to view our Statement of Faith.
We invite you to read testimonies of faith and resources to help deepen your walk Christ.