There has been a witness for Jesus at 231 Dalmarnock Road for over 100 years. The church building with the distinctive Art Nouveau detailed bell turret was erected in 1902 by the Congregational Union congregation. It grew in the early days until it became the largest in the whole of the union with over 1100 members. It was pastored by Rev. George Hayton for over twenty years and became affectionately known in the community as ‘Hayton’s Church’. Another distinctive feature is the railway that runs underneath the building from Dalmarnock to Bridgeton Stations.
In the 1960s and 1970s with the depopulation and redevelopment of the local area the church declined greatly in membership. 3 local congregations: Bethany, Hood Memorial & Dalmarnock Road amalgamated into one congregation – Bridgeton Congregational Church.
With the continuing depletion in local population, the new church still could not survive. There followed a period in which the structure decayed so much that doubt arose as to whether it could survive the widespread demolition taking place around it, and which had left it as one of the few buildings left standing in Bridgeton and Dalmarnock. The church finally closed its doors in 1980, leaving the building to a very uncertain future.
As it was of some architectural significance, being a B-Listed building, there was reluctance on the part of the authorities to see the building taken down. After negotiations between Pastor Ron Hayton (Zion Hall AOG) and the Scottish Development Agency (SDA), the building was purchased and through a series of financial miracles extensively restored in traditional style.
Pastor Ron Hayton faithfully served the congregation there for around 25 years (56 years of ministry in Glasgow). He and his wife Lily were totally committed to the church over many decades.
In 2008 a young couple called Paul & Heini Euliano began Champion Life Church and began the task of building up the small congregation. They saw numerical growth in their 9 years of ministry there as well as modernising the interior of the church building.
In the summer of 2016 AOG leaders Andrew & Lois Smith clearly felt the leading of God to come to Glasgow and pastor the work. At the beginning of 2017 Gateway Church was launched as they believe this church will be the gateway into the city of Glasgow.
In the 1960s and 1970s with the depopulation and redevelopment of the local area the church declined greatly in membership. 3 local congregations: Bethany, Hood Memorial & Dalmarnock Road amalgamated into one congregation – Bridgeton Congregational Church.
With the continuing depletion in local population, the new church still could not survive. There followed a period in which the structure decayed so much that doubt arose as to whether it could survive the widespread demolition taking place around it, and which had left it as one of the few buildings left standing in Bridgeton and Dalmarnock. The church finally closed its doors in 1980, leaving the building to a very uncertain future.
As it was of some architectural significance, being a B-Listed building, there was reluctance on the part of the authorities to see the building taken down. After negotiations between Pastor Ron Hayton (Zion Hall AOG) and the Scottish Development Agency (SDA), the building was purchased and through a series of financial miracles extensively restored in traditional style.
Pastor Ron Hayton faithfully served the congregation there for around 25 years (56 years of ministry in Glasgow). He and his wife Lily were totally committed to the church over many decades.
In 2008 a young couple called Paul & Heini Euliano began Champion Life Church and began the task of building up the small congregation. They saw numerical growth in their 9 years of ministry there as well as modernising the interior of the church building.
In the summer of 2016 AOG leaders Andrew & Lois Smith clearly felt the leading of God to come to Glasgow and pastor the work. At the beginning of 2017 Gateway Church was launched as they believe this church will be the gateway into the city of Glasgow.
