Weybridge United Reformed Church site in Queens Road Weybridge has Closed
The Weybridge site, including the church hall has now closed.
Weybridge United Reformed Church has now united with our sister church in Walton-on-Thames, to be known as “St. Andrew’s United Reformed Church, Walton and Weybridge”. Services and meetings will all be taking place at the new church’s home, on Hersham Road in Walton- on-Thames.
The Weybridge site, including the church hall has now closed. The hall is NOT now available for birthday parties and other celebrations.
ARCHIVE: About Weybridge United Reformed Church
Weybridge United Reformed Church was founded on 5th April 1865 and the present building was dedicated six weeks later.
In 1972 it became part of the new United Reformed Church which includes Congregational, Presbyterian and Churches of Christ traditions in England, Wales and Scotland.
The United Reformed Church is a Protestant church, in the Reformed tradition, the largest world-wide family of churches.
Weybridge United Reformed Church is part of the Wessex Synod of the United Reformed Church.
In common with all United Reformed Churches, members elect Elders, who share with the Minister in the spiritual and pastoral oversight of the church. All members of the church share together in the Church Meeting, the decision-making body of the church.
Whichever church tradition you come from (or perhaps from none), you are very welcome to join with us in our worship and activities.
For more information about the United Reformed Church please visit the national website which can be accessed by clicking here: urc.org.uk
ARCHIVE: Sunday Services
10.30am Family Worship, with groups for children of all ages.
Holy Communion at Family Worship on the 1st and 3rd Sunday of each month.
A crèche is available and coffee is served afterwards in the church hall.
ARCHIVE: Baptisms At Weybridge United Reformed Church
First of all, we, the congregation of Weybridge United Reformed Church want to congratulate you on the birth of your baby. We share your joy and happiness on this wonderful event.
We warmly welcome the opportunity to share with you the celebration of your baby’s birth and naming.
In common with all United Reformed Churches, there are two ways in which we can do this. Either by a Service of Baptism or Service of Thanksgiving, Dedication, Naming and Blessing.
Both of these services take place during our morning service, on either the 2nd, 4th or 5th Sundays of the month, this enables the whole church to take part. The time of our morning service is 10.30am.
Whichever service you choose will depend on the promises and commitment that you wish to make, not only for yourself, but on behalf of your child. The Minister will be happy to explain further details, if you need them.
ARCHIVE: Weddings At Weybridge United Reformed Church
Weybridge United Reformed Church is an open and welcoming church, it is not constrained by parish boundaries and offers services of Marriage to those wish to marry for the first time or those who may seek to re-marry following divorce. ur child. The Minister will be happy to explain further details, if you need them.
Civil Partnership At Weybridge United Reformed Church
The Minister is also available to speak with couples who may wish to explore the possiblity of a service of blessing following a Civil Partnership ceremony.
Funerals & Thanksgiving Services At Weybridge United Reformed Church
At these most difficult of times when a relative or friend has passed away our Minister is always willing to provide support and comfort to family and friends.
The experience of a Minister and Church in contributing towards the smooth running of these important services can be most welcome to those who are mourning.
Weybridge URC has a link with the Reformed Church of Hungary in Kiskunhalas
Members of both churches have visited each other.
The former Minister of Weybridge URC has visited Kiskunhals and preached in the church there. Ministers of the Hungarian reformed Church have preached in the Weybridge Church.
ARCHIVE: History of The Weybridge United Reformed Church
This building was erected in 1864 as a Congregational Church. The architect was John Tarring, well known for his church buildings in South East England. The foundation stone, which can be seen on the outside at the rear of the church, was laid by John Remington Mills, MP in July 1864. The church was dedicated in May 1865.
The building of the church was due to a benefactor, Benjamin Scott, Chamberlain of the City of London. He had come to Weybridge in 1854 and built Heath House on the road to the station. The house is now known as Lorimar House in Hanger Hill. Scott was concerned at the lack of evening worship in Weybridge for those who worked for the gentry and professional families in the area.
The Rector of Weybridge declined to co-operate with Scott in providing this, so Benjamin Scott starting holding evening services in his own house in January 1863. These became so popular that a large room in Heath House gardens was used, but a more permanent place of worship was needed.
Scott bought a plot of land in Queens Road and donated £500 towards the cost of building this church. Visitors to the church can see a plaque commemorating Benjamin Scott on the wall immediately opposite the entrance door.
François Baron was known to Benjamin Scott for his involvement with the Working Men’s Educational Union in London and had moved to Weybridge with his family to help Scott with the evening services. At the first Church Meeting after the church had been dedicated, the members asked François Baron to become their Minister. He was ordained in May 1866 and remained the minster of the new church for 25 years, until 1890.
Church membership grew as the years progressed and a gallery was added in 1886. The arrangement of the church was in the tradition of Congregational churches with the pulpit in the centre, in front of the organ pipes and raised above the dais. This was to emphasise the importance of preaching. The choir pews at this time were also on the dais in two rows facing each other.
The church’s centenary in 1965 was celebrated with an alteration at the front of the church, making it as it is today. The pulpit was rebuilt on the right, a lectern placed on the left, with the communion table remaining in the centre of the dais.
The organ console and the choir pews were moved to the left, the pews on the same level as the rest of the church. A wooden cross was mounted on the organ pipes, emphasising the importance and significance of this Christian symbol.
More recently, in 1972, the Presbyterian Church of England and the Congregational Union of England & Wales joined to form the United Reformed Church. The Churches of Christ joined the United Church in 1981, and the Congregational Church in Scotland was added in 2000.
Weybridge Congregational Church Memorial Stone – July 4th 1864
Church Hall
See the church hall page for information of events that take place there. If you know of others please let us know. The page includes contact details for hiring the hall.
ARCHIVE: Contact Details for The United Reformed Church Weybridge
