History
Poplars Church grew out of the ministry of a gospel music group called 'Faith', based in Worksop, Nottinghamshire, from late 60's until early 80's.
Faith travelled up to 50,000 miles a year to sing about Jesus. They toured up and down the country playing to coffee bar crowds, conferences, pubs, clubs, churches and cathedrals – anywhere and everywhere.
In 1970 two group members, Derek and Mo, married and opened their home to all - those who accepted Christ as the way to full life through 'Faith's' ministry in the local area had an eager desire to know more about Jesus - and thus the Church grew.
Initially the growing Church was housed at Derek and Mo's, but as they were hanging out of the windows we had to move to a bigger place - 'Poplars' (a large detached house where the sound of enthusiastic praise and worship wouldn't annoy the neighbours). 'Poplars' soon became known as the “happy, ‘clappy’ house!”
Within a few years we were packed in like sardines and had to move to rented halls with larger capacity.
Poplars Church became registered as a Charity in 1979.
As Poplars continued to grow it was clear we needed people available to take on their leadership responsibility on a full time basis. In 1981 Derek was called by the Church into full-time ministry, and was joined by Norman in 1985.
Meanwhile, Pete worked as part of the leadership team as well as teaching full-time until he joined the other two in 2002.
As the Church and its work grew we moved into congregations to affect our local communities.
Current congregations are in Worksop, Carlton-in-Lindrick, Whitwell, and we lead a partnership work in Rhodesia.
The work of Poplars in Whitwell developed from a group of people who responded to Billy Graham's visit to Sheffield in the late 80's. Ian and Liz Clague moved from Langold to Whitwell to lead the work, which was centred in their house (the old Chemist's Shop on Worksop Road). Over the years this work grew and eventually needed to be housed in a bigger building - Whitwell Community Centre. From its Whitwell base Poplars Church is now reaching out to the surrounding villages.
During this period we responded to the need in Romania after the revolution in 1989. This work has grown and grown - see our section on Romania.
The growing work needed a base and so in 1995 we moved into our current admin offices in Worksop town centre.
Throughout the 60's and 70's, the moving of the Holy Spirit brought into being thousands of new churches that have completely changed the Christian landscape. Like many such churches Poplars has grown, matured and developed and now makes a significant contribution to the work and witness of the Christian community in Worksop and district and overseas. The work is not finished and our vision is growing and developing.
The history of Poplars Church is, above all else, a story of God's faithfulness.
Poplars Church grew out of the ministry of a gospel music group called 'Faith', based in Worksop, Nottinghamshire, from late 60's until early 80's.
Faith travelled up to 50,000 miles a year to sing about Jesus. They toured up and down the country playing to coffee bar crowds, conferences, pubs, clubs, churches and cathedrals – anywhere and everywhere.
In 1970 two group members, Derek and Mo, married and opened their home to all - those who accepted Christ as the way to full life through 'Faith's' ministry in the local area had an eager desire to know more about Jesus - and thus the Church grew.
Initially the growing Church was housed at Derek and Mo's, but as they were hanging out of the windows we had to move to a bigger place - 'Poplars' (a large detached house where the sound of enthusiastic praise and worship wouldn't annoy the neighbours). 'Poplars' soon became known as the “happy, ‘clappy’ house!”
Within a few years we were packed in like sardines and had to move to rented halls with larger capacity.
Poplars Church became registered as a Charity in 1979.
As Poplars continued to grow it was clear we needed people available to take on their leadership responsibility on a full time basis. In 1981 Derek was called by the Church into full-time ministry, and was joined by Norman in 1985.
Meanwhile, Pete worked as part of the leadership team as well as teaching full-time until he joined the other two in 2002.
As the Church and its work grew we moved into congregations to affect our local communities.
Current congregations are in Worksop, Carlton-in-Lindrick, Whitwell, and we lead a partnership work in Rhodesia.
The work of Poplars in Whitwell developed from a group of people who responded to Billy Graham's visit to Sheffield in the late 80's. Ian and Liz Clague moved from Langold to Whitwell to lead the work, which was centred in their house (the old Chemist's Shop on Worksop Road). Over the years this work grew and eventually needed to be housed in a bigger building - Whitwell Community Centre. From its Whitwell base Poplars Church is now reaching out to the surrounding villages.
During this period we responded to the need in Romania after the revolution in 1989. This work has grown and grown - see our section on Romania.
The growing work needed a base and so in 1995 we moved into our current admin offices in Worksop town centre.
Throughout the 60's and 70's, the moving of the Holy Spirit brought into being thousands of new churches that have completely changed the Christian landscape. Like many such churches Poplars has grown, matured and developed and now makes a significant contribution to the work and witness of the Christian community in Worksop and district and overseas. The work is not finished and our vision is growing and developing.
The history of Poplars Church is, above all else, a story of God's faithfulness.