On September 10th 1925, the Park Avenue Church and schools were opened. Councillor J. W. Arnold unlocked the doors and invited the crowd that had gathered to enter the church, saying that he hoped the new church would be what Kettering Road had proved to be – shelter from storm, light in darkness, strength in weakness, comfort in sorrow.
The guest preacher was the Rev Dr F W Norwood of the City Temple, London, who preached a sermon of great power on the words of Gamaliel ‘if this work be of God, ye cannot overthrow it’ (Acts 5: 39). After the service Mr C J Pearce declared the school open.
So began ‘The Park Avenue Story’ and now 100 years later, the building has seen many comings and goings and changes. Following Methodist Union in 1932 the original building has had extensions added, principally:
- 7th March 1933 – The Minor Hall opened
- 1962 – The ‘Quiet Room’ – New Hall
- 1975 – The Jubilee Room and replacement of the old kitchen
- 1998 – The new entrance and redevelopment scheme
- August 2024 – The worshipping community of QueensGrove joined, creating ParkGrove
- February 2025 – The decision was taken to use the name Park Grove Community Church
100 years on Charles Wesley seems to have word for it all:
‘And are we yet alive, and see each other’s face? Glory and praise to Jesus give for His redeeming grace.’
Current Ministry Team:
| Rev David Speirs (Superintendent) | 2022-Present |
| Rev Dr Samantha Gillard | 2023-Present |
| Rev Ian Forsyth | 2022-Present |
| Rev Alan Sharp | 2018-Present |
Previous Ministry Team members:
| Rev Glayne Horgan | 2006-2011 |
| Deacon Maureen Spinks | 2006-2011 |
| Rev Phil Taylor | 2009-2012 |
| Rev Martin Swan | 2005-2014 |
| Rev Nutan Suray | 2012-2014 |
| Rev Tina Swire | 2011-2018 |
| Rev John Marriott | 2014-2018 |
| Rev Phil Nelson | 2008-2021 |
| Deacon Richard Beckett | 2011-2021 |
| Rev Romeo Pedro | 2018-2022 |
| Rev Francis M’Itiiri | 2018-2023 |
Previous Ministers
| Rev JJ Reeves (Circuit Superintendent minister) | Sept 13th 1925 – July 1926 |
| Rev Leonard Tudor | 1926-1935 |
| Rev Edward McLellan | 1935-1940 |
| Rev Lawrence H. Wood | 1940-1944 |
| Rev Norman Povey | 1944-1946 |
| Rev John H. Watkins | 1946-1952 |
| Rev Henry T. Wigley | 1952-1960 |
| Rev Dr W. Lawson Jones | 1960-1967 |
| Rev Gordon W. Argyle | 1967-1971 |
| Rev Reg Bedford | 1971-1977 |
| Rev John Searle | 1977-1983 |
| Rev Brian Tebbutt | 1983-1990 |
| Rev Michael Jackson | 1990-1998 |
| Rev John Johnson | 1998-2002 |
| Rev Dave Tomlin | 2002-2007 |
| Rev Andy Brooks | 2007-2009 |
| Team Ministry | 2009-present |