Downing Place United Reformed Church, Cambridge facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Downing Place United Reformed Church
Downing Place URC viewed from Downing Street, Cambridge
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Location	Central Cambridge
Country	England
Denomination	United Reformed Church
Website	https://downingplaceurc.org/
History
Former name(s)	Emmanuel URC, Emmanuel Congregational Church, Emmanuel Congregational Chapel, Hog Hill Independent Church; St Columba's URC, St Columba's Presbyterian Church
Administration
Synod	URC Eastern Synod

Downing Place United Reformed Church is a church located in Cambridge, England. It is part of the United Reformed Church family. This church was created in 2018 when two older churches, St Columba's Church and Emmanuel Church, joined together.

The church now uses the building that used to be St Columba's Church in Downing Place. This spot is very close to where Emmanuel's church members met before 1874. Before the churches merged, they offered many activities. These included regular Sunday services, music concerts, and even hosting a health group and a night-time drop-in centre for people needing help. The building has been updated to continue these kinds of activities.

History of Downing Place Church

The story of Downing Place United Reformed Church begins with two separate churches. They both have a long history in Cambridge before they came together.

Emmanuel Church: A Journey Through Time

Emmanuel Church started as a congregational church. This means its members governed themselves. In 1972, Emmanuel decided to join the new United Reformed Church. Over the years, Emmanuel was known by different names. These included the 'Hog Hill Independent Church' and later the 'Emmanuel Congregational Chapel'.

Early Beginnings of Emmanuel Church

The Emmanuel church group began in 1687. It was first known as the 'Cambridge Great Meeting'. Their first building was at Hog Hill, which is now the Old Music School in Downing Place. A minister named Joseph Hussey led the church from 1691. He was remembered in the church's beautiful stained-glass windows.

The church building was rebuilt in 1790. It reopened as the Emmanuel Congregational Chapel. Later, in 1874, the church moved to a new building on Trumpington Street. The old chapel then became a laboratory for women studying science at the University of Cambridge.

Emmanuel Church on Trumpington Street

The building on Trumpington Street was designed by architect James Cubitt in 1875. It was listed as a historic building in 1996. Before September 2020, this was the home of Emmanuel United Reformed Church. The building was later sold to Pembroke College. They planned to use it for lectures and performances.

In its final years, Emmanuel Church held Sunday services and many community events. These included a fairtrade cafe run by volunteers and lunchtime music concerts. They also helped with a project for homeless people in Cambridge.

St Columba's Church: A Presbyterian Past

St Columba's Church started as a Presbyterian church. This type of church is governed by elders. The first Presbyterian group in Cambridge was recorded in 1689. They met in Green Street. The St Columba's church group officially began in 1881. They first worshipped in the Cambridge Guildhall.

The St Columba's Building

The St Columba's church building is on the corner of Downing Place and Downing Street. It was built in 1891. The Scottish architect John Macvicar Anderson designed it. The church was part of the Presbyterian Church of England. From 1972, it also became part of the United Reformed Church. St Columba's also served as the chaplaincy for the Church of Scotland at the University of Cambridge.

Before the merger, St Columba's also had regular Sunday services. They hosted a group therapy centre and a night-time drop-in centre. This centre was run by Cambridge Street Pastors, who help people on the streets.

The Merger: Forming Downing Place United Reformed Church

On June 9, 2018, St Columba's Church and Emmanuel Church officially joined together. This created the new Downing Place United Reformed Church. The combined church now meets in the former St Columba's building. This building has been greatly improved as part of a big project.

The Emmanuel building on Trumpington Street was sold to Pembroke College, Cambridge. The college plans to use it for teaching and performances. The last service in the Emmanuel building took place on July 26, 2020. All church activities there have now stopped.

While the St Columba's building was being renovated, church services were held at Westminster College, Cambridge. The newly restored building was officially opened again in November 2021.

Notable People Connected to the Churches

Many interesting people have been part of these churches over the years.

Ministers of Emmanuel Church

Some of the ministers who led Emmanuel Church include:

• John Conder (1738–1754)
• James Ward (1871–1872)
• P. T. Forsyth (1894–1901)
• John Bradbury (2017-2020)

Ministers of St Columba's Church

Some of the ministers who led St Columba's Church include:

• Halliday Douglas (1893-1901)
• Keith Riglin (1997-2008)
• Nigel Uden (2010-present)

Other Important Figures

Michael Ramsey, who later became a very important church leader (Archbishop of York), worshipped at Emmanuel Church as a child. His father was a deacon there.

Two important scholars, Agnes Smith Lewis and Margaret Dunlop Gibson, also attended St Columba's. They are remembered with a special plaque. They were known for their work on ancient biblical texts.

Images for kids

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  Site of the former Hog Hill chapel, Downing Place, Cambridge

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  The former Emmanuel Church building, Trumpington Street, Cambridge

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  Stained-glass windows of 1905 by Morris & Co. in the former Emmanuel URC building, depicting Puritans with Cambridge connections. From left to right: Henry Barrow, John Greenwood, Oliver Cromwell, John Milton, Francis Holcroft and Joseph Hussey

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  St Columba's from across Downing Place (before refurbishment)