United Reformed Church, Stamford facts for kids
The United Reformed Church in Stamford is a special church building. It is located on Star Lane in the town of Stamford. This church has a long history. It was built a long time ago, during the late Georgian period.
Contents
A Look Back: History of the Church Site
The First Church Building
The land where the church stands was bought in 1719. This was after an older church building was destroyed. That first church was built in the late 1600s. It was located on St Paul’s Street. A group called the Jacobites destroyed it in 1714.
Building a New Chapel
A new chapel was built in 1720. It could hold about 300 people. But this chapel was also taken down in 1819. This made way for the church building you see today. For many years, Star Lane was very narrow. A building on the west side of the lane was removed in 1923. This made the church much easier to see from the south.
The Church Building Today
How the Church Was Built
The current church was built very quickly in 1819. It was made much larger to show its importance. The building cost £1,800 to build. It was designed to seat 800 people. The church is made of red brick. This is unusual in Stamford, which mostly has stone buildings. It has a strong stone base. The roof is made of slate.
Windows and Inside Features
All the windows in the church have an arched shape. The top windows still have their original Georgian glass. The lower windows were changed later. They have a Victorian style. Inside, the church looks very classic. There is a balcony around three sides. It is held up by strong Doric columns. The ceiling is smooth and decorated. It has old-fashioned box pews from the 1800s.
The Church Entrance
You enter the church from a small yard. The entrance gate was added in 1862. It looks like a "Tudor" style gate. This gate was actually part of an old market arcade. That arcade used to stand in Broad Street. It was in front of Browne's Hospital.
The Church Community Today
Name Change and Listing
The church's name changed in 1972. This happened when two church groups joined together. These were the Presbyterian Church of England and the Congregational Church in England and Wales. The building is very important. It is a Grade II Listed Building. This means it is protected because of its history.
Services and Community Work
The Stamford church is part of a larger group. This group is called the East Midlands Synod of the United Reformed Church. The Minister, The Revd Jane Campbell, leads the services. The church holds services on Sunday mornings at 10:45 AM. There is also an evening service at 6:30 PM.
Stamford URC is active in the community. It is part of the Stamford Street Pastors program. It also works with the Stamford Churches Together group. This group helps different churches work together. The church also manages the nearby Congregation Hall. This hall is located on Broad Street.
