Our History

Sir John Laing

International Gospel Church (formerly known as Woodcroft Evangelical Church and often referred to as simply ‘IGC’) was built by local construction company owner Sir John Laing and opened by Christian Brethren in 1928. They provided a Sunday school and, particularly until the Watling Centre opened in 1933, a place for community meetings.

Even in those early days the church was forward thinking. It jointly started Covenanters, a young people’s club, and, at one time, boasted 1,000 children in the Sunday school. It was also involved in pioneering care work, employing a full time social worker whose task it was to care for those living on the new Watling Council Housing Estate during the 1930′s.

A Photograph Of Woodcroft Hall Taken In 1928

For over 80 years we’ve been involved in mission work all over the world and for 40 years we’ve supported a primary health care project in Angola. The church is now twinned with Kabwe Chapel in Zambia and helps support the “Children Of Promise” orphanage there.

The church has changed from those early days as it meets the community’s needs. But throughout all this time it has sought to serve God and the community.

For more on the history of Burnt Oak, check out the Burnt Oak Wikipedia entry.