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← Allerton Gospel Hall Trust

2024-04-05-accounts

Charity Registration No: 1159097

Allerton Gospel Hall Trust

Report of the trustees and Audited financial statements Year ended 5 April 2024

Allerton Gospel Hall Trust

Contents

Pages
Reference and administrative details 2
Report of the trustees 3-6
Independent Auditors report 7-9
Statement of financial activities 10
Balance sheet 11
Cash flow statement 12
Notes to the financial statements 13-17
Public Benefit Report Appendix

1

Allerton Gospel Hall Trust

Reference and administrative details For the year ended 5 April 2024

Charityname Allerton Gospel Hall Trust
Registered charity number 1159097
Trustees Quentin Clayson
Ian Devenish
Adrian Harris (Chair)
Alistair Thewlis
Howard Thorstensen
Treasurer Ian Devenish
Principal address 446 Allerton Road
Liverpool
L18 9UU
Auditor Riverside Accountancy
26 St Georges Quay
Lancaster,
LA1 1RD
Bankers NatWest
138 Allerton Road
Liverpool
L18 2JN
Solicitors Wace Morgan
31 Market Street
Newtown
Powys
SY16 2PG

2

Report of the Trustees For the year ended 5 April 2024

Allerton Gospel Hall Trust

The Trustees present their report along with the financial statements of the Charity for the year ended 5 April 2024. The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the accounting policies set out on page 13-17 and comply with the Trust Deed and applicable law.

Structure, governance and management

Governing document

The Charity is an unincorporated trust constituted by a Deed of Trust dated 20th September 1982, most recently amended by Deed of Variation dated 16th August 2014. The Trust was registered with the Charity Commission for England and Wales on 6th November 2014 under Charity Registration Number: 1159097.

Recruitment and appointment of new trustees

The names of the Trustees who served during the year and since the year end are set out on page 2. None of the Trustees, nor any person connected with them, received any remuneration or expenses from the Charity in the year ended 5 April 2024 (2023: £nil).

The Trust operates a Gospel Hall and Trustees are chosen from among the regular congregation of the hall. New Trustees are nominated by the existing Trustees or by the congregation and must be appointed by unanimous resolution of the congregation. They are selected according to their skills and experience and are expected to use both in furthering the objects of the Charity. Checks are made to ensure the Trustees’ eligibility to act and incoming Trustees are made aware of their responsibilities by the existing Trustees, who ensure that new Trustees read the Trust Deed and relevant Charity Commission guidance.

Wider network

The Trustees maintain informal links with similar charities with a view to pooling experience considered useful in pursuing the objects of the Charity. The Charity also maintains particular links with Childwall Gospel Hall Trust, with which it shares members of its congregation .

Risk management

The Trustees have identified and reviewed the major risks to which the Charity is exposed and confirm that they have established systems or procedures to manage and mitigate those risks.

Objectives and activities

Objectives and aims

The charitable purposes of the Charity are the advancement of the Christian religion for the public benefit, including by the carrying on of the service of God in accordance with the Old and New Testaments of the Holy Bible as followed by those Christians forming part of the world-wide fellowship known as the Plymouth Brethren Christian Church (the “Brethren”) and any other charitable purposes connected with Brethren. The core doctrine of the Brethren and proper practices in furtherance of certain aspects of doctrine are summarised in two schedules to the Trust Deed.

Public benefit

The Trustees confirm that they have complied with their duty under section 4 of the Charities Act 2011 to have due regard to the Charity Commission’s general guidance to charities on public benefit.

Main activities and achievements

The Trust provides and maintains the Allerton Gospel Hall where religious meetings are held by the local Brethren community. Details of the origins, teachings and way of life of the Brethren can be found on the website - www.plymouthbrethrenchristianchurch.org and in the schedules to the Trust Deed.

The Trust’s main achievement was to host a 3-day Christian Conference in August 2023. This was very well attended with over 700 young and old members meeting each day from 9 different countries. We used an event management company, ORBIT, to ensure the conference ran smoothly. The Trust received gifts towards this event from other Gospel Hall Trusts whose members also attended.

3

Allerton Gospel Hall Trust

Report of the Trustees For the year ended 5 April 2024

Plans for Future Periods

Plans have been drawn up as to how best to use the new site and a planning application submitted to St Helens Council for their comments and approval as soon as possible. The project is expected to take at least three years, possibly longer.

Meetings

Meetings held at the Gospel Hall include the Lord's Supper (Communion), Gospel preachings, Bible readings and Bible addresses. There is a structured weekly schedule of meetings and, depending on the particular meeting, between 30 and 300 people normally attend these occasions.

The meetings are attended by the regular congregation and most are open to other properly disposed visitors. The notice board outside the Hall welcomes visitors, along with a telephone number for those seeking further information or help. Gospel tracts, which are distributed by street preachers, also display this information.

Bibles and an extensive range of other Christian reading material are on display at the hall and visitors are free to help themselves.

Spreading the Gospel message and the life of a Christian

The Allerton Gospel Hall is a base from which the regular congregation and others who attend the meetings are encouraged to spread the Christian Gospel, in word and deed.

Members of the congregation participate in a daily programme of street preaching and Gospel tracts are provided free of charge by the Charity to such preachers to be handed out to interested members of the public.

In addition to street preaching, the Trust made donations to local food banks. Both to the Hope Centre which helps families from deprived areas of St Helens, and the Teardrops Homless Charity.

Members of the congregation were also very active working with the RRT – The Rapid Relief Team who supply free meals and support to the emergency services and other charities. RRT has an Agreement with Merseyside Fire and Rescue Services to respond to any incident within 90 minutes of receiving a call. The 53 unpaid volunteers can be called out without warning anytime 24/7.

RRT also worked closely with a primary school in a deprived area, providing SmaRRT cookie breakfast bars and Early Bird Learning kits to the schools, and supporting the She Inspires program which helps young women across Merseyside.

Further details of the public benefit can be seen in the Appendix.

In carrying out this work, the congregation considers itself to be living out its faith in practice, as particularly exemplified in the following extract from the schedule to the Trust Deed on living a Christian life:

4

Allerton Gospel Hall Trust

Report of the Trustees For the year ended 5 April 2024

and money to assist those in need in the wider community, in so far as reasonable given our abilities and our available resources. (Matt 7:12, Matt 22:39, Eph 4:28).

Funding

Funding is sought through gifts from the congregation and Gift Aid is claimed on eligible donations. Funding is sometimes received from other charitable trusts with complementary objectives.

Financial review

Financial position

In the year ended 5 April 2024, the Trust had a £868,726 surplus of incoming resources over resources expended. Total voluntary income received this year was £933,994 compared to £259,298 in the previous year. The increase in this voluntary income was due to two legacies which amounted to £619,244.

There is a loan from the Central Gospel Hall Trust of £2.3 million towards the purchase of the new site. This loan will be repaid when the existing Allerton Gospel Hall is eventually sold.

It is anticipated that the capital cost of the new Gospel Hall will be at least £2 million over the next three years. This cost will be met by contributions from members of the congregation. There is also the possibility of disposing of surplus land.

The two legacies amounting to £619,244 are restricted funds.

Reserves policy

The Trustees have considered the level of reserves they wish to retain, appropriate to the charity's needs, based on its size and the level of its financial commitments. The Trust has no employees and its regular outgoings are comparatively small.

The timing of the construction of the new Gospel Hall will depend on the availability of funds. In view of this project the Trustees have decided to adopt a policy of maintaining no significant reserves.

The congregation is kept regularly informed as to particular needs for funds, and other relevant matters and the Trustees aim to ensure that the Charity will be able to continue to fulfil its charitable objectives. If there is a temporary shortfall in income or unexpected expenditure, a funds appeal will be made to the congregation

Free reserves at the year-end were £641,085 (£479,763)

Statement of Trustees’ responsibilities

The trustees are responsible for preparing the Trustees’ Annual Report and the financial statements in accordance with applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice).

The law applicable to charities in England & Wales requires the trustees to prepare financial statements for each financial year which give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the charity and of the incoming resources and application of resources of the charity for that period. In preparing these financial statements, the trustees are required to:

5

Allerton Gospel Hall Trust

Report of the Trustees For the year ended 5 April 2024

The trustees are responsible for keeping proper accounting records that disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the charity and enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Charities Act 2011, the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 and the provisions of the trust deed. They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the charity and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities. All transactions have been reviewed and approved by two trustees.

On behalf of the Board

Ian Devenish

Trustee Date: 16/10/2024

6

Allerton Gospel Hall Trust

Balance Sheet For the year ended 5 April 2024

Opinion

We have audited the financial statements of Allerton Gospel Hall Trust(the ‘charity’) for the year ended 5 April 2024 which comprise Statement of financial position, statement of financial activities , cashflow statement and notes to the financial statements, including significant accounting policies. The financial reporting framework that has been applied in their preparation is applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards, including Financial Reporting Standard 102 The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice).

In our opinion the financial statements:

Basis for opinion

We conducted our audit in accordance with International Standards on Auditing (UK) (ISAs (UK)) and applicable law. Our responsibilities under those standards are further described in the auditor responsibilities for the audit of the financial statements section of our report. We are independent of the charity in accordance with the ethical requirements that are relevant to our audit of the financial statements in the UK, including the FRC’s Ethical Standard, and we have fulfilled our other ethical responsibilities in accordance with these requirements. We believe that the audit evidence we have obtained is sufficient and appropriate to provide a basis for our opinion.

Conclusions relating to going concern

In auditing the financial statements, we have concluded that the trustees’ use of the going concern basis of accounting in the preparation of the financial statements is appropriate.

Based on the work we have performed, we have not identified any material uncertainties relating to events or conditions that, individually or collectively, may cast significant doubt on the charity's ability to continue as a going concern for a period of at least twelve months from when the financial statements are authorised for issue.

Our responsibilities and the responsibilities of the trustees with respect to going concern are described in the relevant sections of this report.

Other information

The other information comprises the information included in the trustees' annual report, other than the financial statements and our auditor’s report thereon. The trustees are responsible for the other information. Our opinion on the financial statements does not cover the other information and we do not express any form of assurance conclusion thereon.

Our responsibility is to read the other information and, in doing so, consider whether the other information is materially inconsistent with the financial statements or our knowledge obtained in the course of the audit or otherwise appears to be materially misstated. If we identify such material inconsistencies or apparent material misstatements, we are required to determine whether this gives rise to a material misstatement in the financial statements themselves. If, based on the work we have performed, we conclude that there is a material misstatement of this other information, we are required to report that fact.

We have nothing to report in this regard.

Matters on which we are required to report by exception

We have nothing to report in respect of the following matters in relation to which the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 require us to report to you if, in our opinion:

Responsibilities of trustees

As explained more fully in the trustees’ responsibilities statement set out on page 6, the trustees are responsible for the preparation of the financial statements and for being satisfied that they give a true and fair view, and for such internal control as the trustees determine is necessary to enable the preparation of financial statements that are free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error.

7

Allerton Gospel Hall Trust

Balance Sheet

For the year ended 5 April 2024

In preparing the financial statements, the trustees are responsible for assessing the charity’s ability to continue as a going concern, disclosing, as applicable, matters related to going concern and using the going concern basis of accounting unless the trustees either intend to liquidate the charity or to cease operations, or have no realistic alternative but to do so.

Auditor responsibilities for the audit of the financial statements

We have been appointed as auditor under section 144of the Charities Act 2011 and report in accordance with the Act and relevant regulations made or having effect thereunder.

Our objectives are to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements as a whole are free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error, and to issue an auditor’s report that includes our opinion. Reasonable assurance is a high level of assurance, but is not a guarantee that an audit conducted in accordance with ISAs (UK) will always detect a material misstatement when it exists. Misstatements can arise from fraud or error and are considered material if, individually or in the aggregate, they could reasonably be expected to influence the economic decisions of users taken on the basis of these financial statements.

[Irregularities, including fraud, are instances of non-compliance with laws and regulations. We design procedures in line with our responsibilities, outlined above, to detect material misstatements in respect of irregularities, including fraud. The extent to which our procedures are capable of detecting irregularities, including fraud is detailed below:

Because of the inherent limitations of an audit, there is a risk that we will not detect all irregularities, including those leading to a material misstatement in the financial statements or non-compliance with regulation. This risk increases the more that compliance with a law or regulation is removed from the events and transactions reflected in the financial statements, as we will be less likely to become aware of instances of non-compliance. The risk is also greater regarding irregularities occurring due to fraud rather than error, as fraud involves intentional concealment, forgery, collusion, omission or misrepresentation.

As part of an audit in accordance with ISAs (UK), we exercise professional judgment and maintain professional scepticism throughout the audit. We also:

8

Allerton Gospel Hall Trust

Balance Sheet For the year ended 5 April 2024

We communicate with those charged with governance regarding, among other matters, the planned scope and timing of the audit and significant audit findings, including any significant deficiencies in internal control that we identify during our audit.

Use of our report

This report is made solely to the charity’s trustees, as a body, in accordance with Part 4 of the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008. Our audit work has been undertaken so that we might state to the charity’s trustees those matters we are required to state to them in an auditor’s report and for no other purpose. To the fullest extent permitted by law, we do not accept or assume responsibility to anyone other than the charity and the charity’s trustees as a body, for our audit work, for this report, or for the opinions we have formed.

Unrestricted Designated Restricted Total Funds Total Funds
Funds Funds Funds 2024 2023
Notes £ £ £ £ £
Income and endowments
from:
Donations and legacies:
Legacies 619,244 619,244 -
Contributions from the 270,052 270,052 75,825
congregation
Gift Aid donations 29,534 29,534 23,026
Income tax refunds 7,384 7,384 5,756
Payroll giving 7,780 7,780 3487
Grants - - 150,000

9

Allerton Gospel Hall Trust

Balance Sheet

For the year ended 5 April 2024

Insurance Claim
Investments
Bank interest
Total
Expenditure on:
Charitable activities
Conference Costs
Running meeting rooms
Outreach Activities
Cost of donated services
5
Total
Net income/(expenditure)
Gains/(losses) on revaluation
of fixed assets
Net movement in funds
Reconciliation of funds
Total funds brought forward
Total funds carried forward		 13,150
13,150
-
15,024
15,024
1968
342,924
619,244
962,168
260,062
49,898
49,898
26,806
26,806
19,798
5,581
5,581
11,932
11,156
11,156
9,973
93,442
93,442
41,703
249,482
619,244
868,726
218,358
-
-
-
249,482
619,244
868,726
218,358
2,175,321
-
2,175,321
1,956,963
2,424,802
619,244
3,044,046
2,175,321

The notes on pages 13 to 17 form part of these financial statements. All the above activities are classed as continuing and there are no gains and losses other than those included above.

10

Allerton Gospel Hall Trust

Balance Sheet As at 5 April 2024

Notes
Fixed assets
Tangible fixed assets
6
Current assets
Debtors:
Gift aid refund
Cash at bank and in hand
Current liabilities
Creditors: amounts falling due within one year:
Other creditors
Accruals and deferred income
Net current assets
Total assets less current liabilities
Creditors: amounts falling due after more than one year:
Loan
Net assets
Funds
Unrestricted income fund
Restricted funds
Total funds
7		 2024
£
4,083,717
7,383
1,257,946
5,000
1,260,329
5,344,046
2,300,000
3,044,046
2,424,802
619,244
3,044,046		 2023
£
3,995,558
5,756
474,007
-
-
-
479,763
4,475,321
2,300,000
2,175,321
2,175,321
-
2,175,321

The unaudited financial statements were approved and authorised for issue by the Trustee of Allerton Gospel Hall Trust on 16[th] October 2024 and signed on their behalf by

Ian Devenish

Ian Devenish Trustee

Cash Flow from Operating Activities

2024

2023

11

Allerton Gospel Hall Trust

Balance Sheet As at 5 April 2024

net movement in funds per statement of financial activities -
Income and Expenditure Accounts
 868,726 218,358
adjustment for
increase in creditors
 5,000 2,300,000
purchase of fixed assets (88,159) (2,495,558)
increase in debtors (1,627) (3,986)
Net cash provided by operating activities
 783,940 18,814
Cash inflow
 783,940 18,814
Cash and cash equivalents brought forward
 474,007 455,193
Cash and cash equivalents carried forward
 1,257,947 474,007

12

Allerton Gospel Hall Trust

Notes to the accounts As at 5 April 2024

The notes on pages 13 to 17 form part of these financial statements

1. Accounting policies

1.1 Basis of preparation financial statements

2. The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Second edition of the Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) issued in October 2019, the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102), and UK Generally Accepted Practice.

The functional currency of the charity is sterling (£).

The Trust meets the definition of a public benefit entity under FRS 102. Assets and liabilities are initially recognised at historical cost or transaction value unless otherwise stated in the relevant accounting policy note(s).

2.1 Income

Donations are recognised in the year in which there is entitlement and probability of receipt and the amount can be measured with reasonable certainty. Income is only deferred when the charity has to fulfil conditions before becoming entitled to it or where the donor has specified that the income is to be expended in a future year. Gift aid is added to the value of the donation to which it relates.

Donated services are recognised as income and expenditure in the financial statements when organisations or individuals offer their services and support pro bono. The value of these donated services to Allerton Gospel Hall Trust is considered to be equal to market value which would be paid were the service formally procured. This includes services paid for by other trusts.

Investment income is accounted for on a receivable basis.

2.2 Expenditure

Expenditure is included on an accruals basis. Liabilities are recognised as soon as there is a legal or constructive obligation committing the charity to pay out resources.

Charitable activities comprise those costs directly attributable to the fulfilment of the charitable objects.

2.3 Governance and support costs

Support costs have been allocated between governance costs and other support costs. Governance costs comprise all costs involving the public accountability of the charity and costs related to statutory requirements. Governance and support costs are allocated to charitable activities on the basis of capacity used.

2.4 Tangible fixed assets and depreciation

Tangible fixed assets are stated at cost. Freehold land is not depreciated.

2.5 Taxation

The Trust is a registered charity and is not liable to United Kingdom income or corporation tax on charitable activities, provided income falls within the charitable exemptions and is spent on charitable purposes.

2.6 Funds

The general unrestricted fund is free for the Trustees to use for any purposes in furtherance of the trust’s charitable objects.

13

Allerton Gospel Hall Trust

Notes to the accounts As at 5 April 2024

Restricted funds arise from donations to the trust, which are made for a specific purpose. Restricted funds can only be used for the purpose for which funds were given.

2.7 Preparation of consolidated financial statements

The Charity does not have a trading subsidiary and there is no requirement to prepare consolidated accounts

Going concern

Significant estimates and judgements

2.9 The trustees do not consider that there are any sources of estimation uncertainty at the reporting date that have a significant risk of causing a material adjustment to the carrying amounts of assets and liabilities within the next reporting period.

3. Trustees’ remuneration and expenses

No Trustees received any remuneration or other benefits from an employment with the charity and no Trustees were reimbursed for expenses (2023: None).

4. Wages and salaries

There are no employees (2023: none).

5. Donated services

Received from: 2024 2023
- -
Donated to: 2024 2023
Childwall Gospel Hall Trust 11,156 9973

14

Allerton Gospel Hall Trust

Notes to the accounts As at 5 April 2024

6. Resources expended

Direct costs
-
Repairs and Maintenance
-
Insurance
-
Rates
-
Light, heat and water
-
Rent
-
Telephone
-
Depreciation
-
Legal and professional costs
-
Conference Costs
Support costs
Governance		 Meeting
Rooms
Other
charitable
activities
2024
£
£
£
0
2,169
0
7,167
0
1,174
0
0
49,898
0
2,169
0
7,167
0
1,174
0
0
49,898
6,652
6,652
5,327
5,327		 Meetin
g
Rooms
Other
charitable
activities
2023
£
£
£
4,627
2,019
0
6,259
0
945
0
5,299
4,627
2,019
0
6,259
0
945
0
5,299
11,932
11,932
144
144
65,735
6,652
72,387		 19,292
11,932
31,224

Governance costs include £5,327(2023: £1,057) in respect of independent examiner’s audit fees.

7. Tangible fixed assets

Cost
Brought forward at
6 April 2023
Additions
At 5 April 2024
Net book value
At 5 April 2023		 Freehold Property
and
Refurbishment £
3,995,558
88,159
4,083,717
3,995,558		 Temporary
buildings
£		 Furniture,
fixtures &
fittings
£		 Total
£
3,995,558
88,159
4,083,717
3,995,558

Property Details:

Land registry titles of the above property held are MS569738 and MS331162

15

Allerton Gospel Hall Trust

Notes to the accounts As at 5 April 2024

8. Analysis of net assets between funds 8.1 Current year

Tangible fixed assets
Current assets
Current liabilities
Long Term Liabilities
Total funds
7.2 Prior year
Tangible fixed assets
Current assets
Current liabilities
Long Term Liabilities
Total funds		 Unrestricted
Funds
£
4,083,717
646,086
0
2,305,000
2,424,803
Unrestricted
funds
£
3,995,558
479,506
0
2,300,000
2,175,321		 Restricted
Funds
£
619,244
619,244
Restricted
funds
£		 Total Funds
£
4,083,717
1,265,330
0
2,305,000
3,044,047
Total Funds
£
3,995,558
479,506
0
2,300,000
2,175,321

9. Movement in funds

9.1 Current year

Restricted funds
Unrestricted funds
Total funds		 Balance at
6 April 2023
Incoming
resources
Resources
expended
Realised/
unrealised
gains and
losses
Balance at 5
April 2024
£
£
£
£
£
0
619,244
0
0
619,244
2,175,321
342,924
93,442
0
2,424,802
2,175,321
962,168
93,442
0
3,044,046

16

Allerton Gospel Hall Trust

Notes to the accounts As at 5 April 2024

Prior year

Prior year
Restricted funds
Designated Funds
Unrestricted funds
Total funds		 Balance at
6 April 2022
Incoming
resources
Resources
expended
Realised/
unrealised
gains and
losses
Balance at 5
April 2023
£
£
£
£
£
0
0
0
0
0
675
2,025
2,700
0
0
1,956,288
257,273
38,498
0
2,175,320
1,956,963
259,298
41,198
0
2,175,320

10. Transactions with related parties

There were no related party transactions in the reporting period that require disclosure. (2023 nil)

11. Post balance sheet events

Planning permission is being sought for a new Gospel Hall on the Rainhill site. The budget cost of constructing this Gospel Hall is £2 million but no contracts have been entered into.

12. Volunteers

Allerton Gospel Hall Trust relies entirely on volunteers to carry out the management, administration and general maintenance work. The Trust has no paid staff or paid Trustees.

17

Allerton Gospel Hall Trust

Public Benefit Report

Allerton Gospel Hall Trust Public Benefit

1

ALLERTON GOSPEL HALL TRUST – Registered Charity No. 1159097

Allerton Gospel Hall Trust

The purpose of this factual presentation, is to show how the Allerton Gospel Hall Trust community engage in many acts of public benefit and interact with the wider community in so many ways.

The Plymouth Brethren were established in 1828 when John Nelson Darby broke with the established Church in Dublin. Darby and others formed a fellowship based on the strict observance of Christian teachings as set out in the Holy Scriptures. Darby came to Plymouth in the early 1830s and the congregation grew rapidly. Early publications were produced in Plymouth and distributed to other congregations of followers throughout the globe.

Introduction

There are over 18,000 Plymouth Brethren members in the UK, spread across 87 locations. These locations can be found on the Plymouth Brethren Christian Church (PBCC) UK Site. - https://theplymouthbrethren.org.uk/our locations/

The Allerton Gospel Hall was built in 1968 and has been used for the advancement of the Christian religion by carrying on the service of God, including the celebration of the Lord’s Supper, Gospel Preachings, Bible Readings and addresses on the Word of God and other meetings of a Christian religious character according to the injunctions contained in the Holy Scriptures and the tenets and practices of those Christians forming a worldwide fellowship known as Plymouth Brethren. The Allerton congregation is one of the smaller congregations in the UK, with 153 members living in the Merseyside region; however with residents from the Chester area attending services up to three times a week, together with other visitors, numbers attending services regularly approach 350 persons, from young babies to nonagenarians.

To read more on the PBCC way of life, visit the https://www.plymouthbrethrenchristianchurch.org website.

Street Preaching & Tract Distribution

Street Preaching

Street Preaching has been actively promoted by the Plymouth brethren for many years, at least from the 1920's, and today is enthusiastically supported by members of the Allerton Gospel Hall Trust congregation, as we seek to follow the example set out by our Lord Jesus Christ (Luke ch4 v17-20)

The essential activity of publicly preaching the name of Jesus and God’s wonderful Gospel indiscriminately, gives joy and encouragement to our daily lives; as having personally proved the tangible benefit and immense improvement believing in Jesus brings, we seek to highlight the availability of Jesus to all mankind.

2

ALLERTON GOSPEL HALL TRUST – Registered Charity No. 1159097

Allerton Gospel Hall Trust

Currently the main chosen location is outside the town hall in Liverpool city centre & more recently near Church Street. Street preachings have been held here since the 1970s and for many years before at the Pier Head. There is a street preaching most weekdays.

Romans 10v13; “For everyone whosoever, who shall call on the name of the Lord, shall be saved”

The aim of the street preaching is not to recruit additional members for the Plymouth Brethren but to present eternal salvation as available to all men by faith in Jesus Christ and His blood and His work of atonement.

Tract Distribution

Members of the congregation have continued to hand out tracts to neighbours and people in need when they have met them. Tracts are available at the meeting hall for distribution to visitors and for congregation members to take home and distribute.

Tracts are available for download on the below website: https://christiandoctrineandgospelpublishing.org/

Outreach

In our outreach program, we have engaged with centers for the homeless & vulnerable. At the heart of our Community is the commitment to care and compassion, as we recognise the rights of all humanity within society. Members of the Congregation dedicate their time volunteering through our charitable arm, Rapid Relief Team (RRT) and contribute financially to many causes. As Allerton Gospel Hall Trust, we actively seek opportunities to support our local community.

Rapid Relief Team

3

ALLERTON GOSPEL HALL TRUST – Registered Charity No. 1159097

Allerton Gospel Hall Trust

The Church has an established record of supporting the local community in Allerton and the surrounding Merseyside area. This includes through the Rapid Relief Team (RRT), a charity made up of volunteers from the Church.

From working with Teardrops Charity donating Food Boxes to those facing poverty, to supporting The ‘ ’ Hope Centre at their Sleep Out , we have been proud to partner with a range of inspirational charities in the local area to support those in need.

The congregation is also committed to supporting the local emergency services and has partnered with Merseyside Police to deliver the Community Day of Action in St Helens, and ‘She Inspires’ tournament, as well as ensuring the success of numerous community events led by schools and local organisations, including the Kirkby Primary School Summer Festival.

4

ALLERTON GOSPEL HALL TRUST – Registered Charity No. 1159097

Allerton Gospel Hall Trust

Supporting the Kirkby C Of E Primary School Victory Outreach day

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ALLERTON GOSPEL HALL TRUST – Registered Charity No. 1159097

Allerton Gospel Hall Trust

Supporting the Whitechapel Centre Homeless Sleepout event.

From April 2023 – April 2024 Liverpool RRT provided 16,900 free meals at 21 different events, supporting Merseyside Police, Merseyside Fire & Rescue Service, The Whitechapel Centre, The Hope Centre, The Victory Outreach Church, Riverside College & Cancer Research UK. As well as multiple NHS hospitals – Broadgreen, Alder Hey, The Royal, Aintree & Fazakerly.

This is a powerful way for our congregation to give back to society and demonstrate the Christian values of care and compassion in action.

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ALLERTON GOSPEL HALL TRUST – Registered Charity No. 1159097