Countess Free Church, Ely facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Countess Free Church Ely |
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| Countess of Huntingdon Free Church Ely | |
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| Location | Ely, Cambridgeshire |
| Country | England |
| Denomination | Countess of Huntingdon Connexion |
| Website | www.countessely.co.uk |
| History | |
| Founded | 1700s |
| Founder(s) | Countess of Huntingdon |
The Countess Free Church is a Christian church located in the heart of Ely, Cambridgeshire, England. It's a busy place that holds many events and activities throughout the city. The church gathers for its main service on Sunday mornings at 10:30 AM. During the week, it offers various groups and activities for people of all ages. The church buildings are found on Chapel Street, which is close to the famous Ely Cathedral.
What is the Countess Free Church's Goal?
The people who are part of the Countess Free Church see themselves as "a church on a mission across the city." Their main idea is "Seeking to Worship, Seeking to Serve". This means they want to show their faith and help their community.
How Does the Church Work?
The Countess Free Church operates like a Baptist church. This means they follow certain practices and beliefs common to Baptist churches.
What is Believers' Baptism?
One key practice is called believers' baptism. This is when people choose to be baptized after they have decided to follow Christian beliefs for themselves. It's not usually done for babies.
What is Congregational Governance?
The church also uses a congregational governance model. This means that the members of the church congregation make important decisions together. They vote on leaders and big plans, rather than having decisions made by a single leader or a small group from outside the church.
History of the Countess Free Church
The Countess Free Church in Ely has a long and interesting history. It was started a long time ago, in 1785.
Who Founded the Church?
The church was founded by a special person named Selina Hastings. She was known as the Countess of Huntingdon. She was a very religious woman who helped start many churches.
What is the Countess of Huntingdon's Connexion?
The Countess Free Church is part of a group called the Countess of Huntingdon's Connexion. This is a small group of Protestant churches, with just over 20 churches in total. Protestant churches are Christian churches that separated from the Roman Catholic Church during the Reformation.
Past Connections and Modern Partnerships
In the past, the church was also part of the historic Congregational Union. Today, the church is very much like a Baptist church in its beliefs and practices. In 2019, it also joined with the Eastern Baptist Association. This group is a part of Baptists Together, which is a larger network of Baptist churches across the United Kingdom.
Community Involvement in Ely
In recent years, the Countess Free Church has been very active in helping the city of Ely. They work with other churches on important projects. For example, they help run the Ely Foodbank, which provides food for people who need it. They also support the Ely CAP Debt Centre, which helps people manage their money and get out of debt. Another project is an in-school chaplaincy program at the local secondary school, offering support to students.
As the city of Ely grows with new homes, the church is always looking for new ways to help and connect with people in these new areas.
