Founded in 1939 by Mr. Len Butler at Sydenham Methodist. During WW2 the company went through a high turnover of officers because they were called to serve in the armed forces overseas. The 14th Christchurch Boys' Brigade went into recess in 1960 because of increasing industrialization of the Sydenham residential area. It was restarted in 1963 at Beckenham Methodist Church. (The new satellite church of Sydenham Methodist Parish)
The company still meets on Friday nights at 7.00pm in the Beckenham Methodist Church Hall in Martin Avenue. The Anchor Boys and Team Section meet in the same hall on Thursday evenings at 6:30pm.
Return to topThe Boys' Brigade is a 130 year old international organisation with a constitution that requires each company to be sponsored, housed and generally administered by a local Church. The Beckenham Methodist Church provides the legal responsibility, accommodation, heating, lighting and staff for the 14th CHCH BB, at no dollar cost to our company, as part of their endeavor to serve the local community.
Staff training and activity ideas, as well as inter company competitions etc are provided by the National Brigade Organisation.
The 14th CHCH BB which has been operating for over 70 years, has trained volunteer staff, and access to qualified voluntary instructors for specialist activities. The company exists to provide boys with a wholesome fellowship of peers with adult leadership that is concerned about aiding each individual boy to grow into an adulthood that balances physical, moral, social and spiritual skills.
This is achieved by providing activities, and role model friendships over a wide age range. Boys' Brigade is a life-style training ground for the growing up years and should not be regarded as being just another entertainment activity for boys.
The 14th CHCH BB purposefully tries to function using as little money as possible, believing that much personal enjoyment and learning can be achieved with minimal dollar outlays. Our annual members subscription is currently $50.00. Camp fees and costs for some specialist training courses, are extra for those who want to participate in them.
Return to topIn the New Testament there is a Book called Hebrews.
A letter from Paul the Apostle to Jewish Christians.
In Chapter 6, verse 19 we find the words:
".. which hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and stedfast"
(Authorised , or King James Version)
Both the Badge of The Boys' Brigade and the words of the Motto are taken from this verse. In modern English the word 'stedfast' is spelled with an 'a' -steadfast- but we keep the older spelling in our Motto:
Our Motto - 'SURE AND STEDFAST'
Our EMBLEM (Badge) 
The Emblem stands for the strength, hope and security God gives (the anchor) and the new life we have through Jesus (the red cross)
THE OBJECT
The Advancement of Christs Kingdom among boys and the promotion of habits of obedience, reverence, discipline, self respect and all that tends towards a true Christian manliness.
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