Our Church and Being Congregational Christians
If you are seeking a Church home among Christian friends, we would be delighted to welcome you into this church family you are welcome to join us for any of our Church events.
“We believe that Jesus said where two or three come together in my name, there he is with us. In Matthew 18:20”
As Congregationalist we belong to their local Church and each Church belongs to the Congregational Federation, who bring together independent free churches for mutual support through a vision of unity in creative diversity by belief in the living God who is revealed in Jesus Christ, our Lord and Saviour.
We trust in the promise of Jesus Christ to be with His people who meet in his name.
We affirm the scriptural right of every Church to maintain independence in the ordering of its affairs according to the guidance of the Holy Spirit.
We recognise the oneness of all Christians within the worldwide Church and respect the natural diversity of different ways to God.
We seek the unity for which Christ prayed may they be one.
We worship, work and serve with all who love our Lord Jesus Christ, to realise HisKingdom in the world and to help our fellow people everywhere to know the joy of His companionship in life.
A brief overview of our Congregational heritage
For a long while there was widespread ignorance, the Priests dominated the Church.
1320-84: John Wycliffe brings new ideas. The Bible is written in English.
1500: Widespread availability of the Bible.
1515: The Reformation begins with Luther.
1534: Henry VIII breaks from Rome The Church of England is formed.
1566: The clergy separate again from the church, non-conformity starts.
1567: There is a lot of persecution many people in prison for their faith.
1581: The hanging of a group of people called the separatists - those left the C of E.
1588: London prisons are the largest churches
1604: Many are exiled into Europe
(mainly in Amsterdam)
1620: Pilgrim Fathers sail on the Mayflower
to avoid the persecution.
1645: The terms Congregational & independent
are used. Prominent people now join up.
1653: After the civil war Cromwell takes power.
1658: Cromwell dies and Charles II returns to the throne promising tolerance but persecution starts again.
1662: The Book of Common Prayer is produced 2000 clergy leave the church and the Free Church is formed, there are various acts to restrict and punish it.
1689: Persecution eases – many new churches.
Since then there have been ups and downs, loss of interest, industrial revolution, revival and wars.
1960s: There is a new approach towards unity.
1972: URC(United Reformed Church) is formed. 73% of Congregational churches joined the URC. The Congregational Federation is established with 300+ churches. Some joined the EFCC, some had no affiliation to anyone.
