The United Reformed Church ?
We are often asked “What is the United Reformed Church?
Is it a new church?
Where did it come from?
The United Reformed Church came into being on 5th October 1972, as a result of the uniting of two much older Churches, the Presbyterian Church of England and the Congregational Union of England and Wales.
Why ‘Reformed’?
When we try to try to explain the origins of the URC, we usually begin our story with the Reformation in C16th, when men like Martin Luther and John Calvin criticised certain aspects of the Church of Rome, which they believed were contrary to what they found in the Bible. It was their intention to “Reform” the Church. They looked to create a system of church government, not ruled over by powerful individuals, but rather by decisions being made by church members under the guidance of the Holy Spirit. The result was the split between the Roman Catholic Church and the Protestant (Protesting) Churches.
In England Under Henry VIII and Queen Elizabeth I, some of these Protestant principles shaped the Church of England, but for many these changes did not go far enough. The result was that in 1662 they left the Church of England. Among these Dissenters were Presbyterians and Congregationalists (or Independents as they were often called).
Why ‘United’?
The Presbyterians and the Congregationalists held more in common than those beliefs over which they were separated. It was because of what they shared in common, that the two traditions started talking together about coming together and eventually they “United” in 1972 to form the United Reformed Church.
Since that date the family of the United Reformed Church has received two more members. In 1981, the union was enlarged when the Churches of Christ joined. In 2000 the horizons of the URC were extended when the Scottish Congregational Church was welcomed into the family.
Further Reading
A fuller account of the origins of the United Reformed church can be found in our own booklet introducing our church entitled “ Who We Are, What We Believe and What We Aim To Be.” A more detailed account can be found in David Thompson’s booklets “ Where Do We Come From?” and “What We Believe,” and in David Cornick’s book “Under God’s Good hand.”