1961 – Odd Fellows Hall
In September 1961, a small assembly of believers, under the leadership of Elder Allan Tomlinson, initiated a ministry in a modest, rented space at the Odd Fellows Hall, located at 100 Midland Road, Bedford.
This small group, comprising six individuals, successfully organized itself into a functioning church. By October of that year, they officially became members and established an official branch of the Church of God in Christ (COGIC) International. When the young Evangelist Francis Vaughan joined the Bedford fellowship in 1962 to assist Elder Tomlinson with the ministry, only one adult and four children remained.
In 1965, Elder Tomlinson departed from the Bedford fellowship, and the leadership transitioned to Evangelist Francis Vaughan, who assumed the role of pastor of the Church of God
In Christ, Bedford.
Image of 100 Midland Road, Bedford today
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1966 – ‘The Hut’
The congregation was expanding, yet the church lacked a permanent place to call ‘home’. Between 1962 and 1965, the members struggled to secure a location for their worship that would last for any significant duration. They frequently relocated due to multiple evictions and refusals of tenancy. A place for worship, a place to call their own, was essential. With assistance from the council, they were offered a burnt-out, dilapidated shack measuring 18 x 30 feet, overgrown with bushes, situated on Alexandra Road. This was available on a weekly tenancy notice of one shilling per week (approximately £10.07 in today’s currency).
Understanding the extensive work required, the stringent conditions set by the council, and the possibility of being asked to vacate at any moment, the brethren accepted the offer as a challenge. The members united to refurbish the neglected building into a suitable place for worship; a space where they could freely worship at their chosen times and accommodate their growing congregation. In 1966, the Bedford branch of the Church of God in Christ International was registered as Miracle Church of God in Christ. Later that same year, in December 1966, after the refurbishment was completed.
'The Hut' before restoration
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The ‘Pre-fab’
The congregation continued to expand with a rise in activities within the small hut. The Hut was becoming increasingly inadequate to accommodate the members, visitors, and children. In 1969, the church received authorization to install a prefabricated structure, adhering to the council’s stringent regulations, which stipulated that it must be removable at any time. Consequently, the transition was made from ‘The Hut’ to the larger and more secure prefabricated building (the Pre-fab) located on the same site. The tenancy had since progressed from one week to a month, and then to six months. Once the Pre-fab was established and everyone felt at home, the council issued a notice to vacate the premises.
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Miracle Church of God 
In 1976, the members were notified to vacate the site they had occupied for the past decade. The congregation was expanding, activities were on the rise, and they were gaining recognition not only among Evangelical churches but also within mainstream religious organizations and the community. It was time to consider the future.
With eviction imminent, the congregation, activities, and community presence were flourishing; yet, we struggled to find a suitable building for the church, leaving us in a dire situation. Our options were limited, but God intervened and opened doors for greater opportunities. We received support from community leaders, church leaders who formed a committee dedicated to our cause, and even assistance from the council and many others to help retain the site.
Even the legal services were provided at no cost. Isn’t God wonderful? The blessings continued, as the lease that began weekly and gradually extended to six months was further extended to 46 years, and then to a 99-year lease at £181 per year. With this extension, we were able to construct a purpose-built facility on the same site, a permanent establishment, a place we can genuinely call our own. To our astonishment, as soon as the building was completed, the council raised the lease to £12,000 per year, reflecting the increased value of the land.
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Miracle Church Today
Look where God has brought us
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