Weybridge United Reformed Church facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Weybridge United Reformed Church
The church from the northwest
Weybridge United Reformed Church Location in Surrey
51°22′05″N 00°26′47″W / 51.36806°N 0.44639°W / 51.36806; -0.44639
Location	Queens Road, Weybridge, Surrey KT13 9UX
Country	United Kingdom
Denomination	United Reformed Church
Previous denomination	Congregational
History
Status	Church
Founded	4 July 1864 (1864-07-04)
Founder(s)	Benjamin Scott, François Baron
Architecture
Functional status	Closed 2022 (Merged with Walton-on-Thames congregation)
Heritage designation	Grade II
Designated	24 October 1974
Architect(s)	John Tarring
Style	Decorated Gothic Revival
Groundbreaking	4 July 1864
Completed	17 May 1865
Construction cost	£2,100
Specifications
Capacity	350
Materials	Rubble, ashlar
Administration
Synod	Wessex Synod

The Weybridge United Reformed Church is a historic church building in Weybridge, Surrey, England. It used to be a place of worship but is now closed. This building is special because it is a Victorian-era church and has a Grade II listing. This means it is an important building that needs to be protected.

The church was built in a style called Gothic Revival, which looks like old medieval churches. It has a tall spire and was designed by John Tarring in 1864. It officially opened in 1865.

For many years, this church served the town of Weybridge as a United Reformed Church. However, in 2022, the Weybridge church joined with another church in Walton-on-Thames. The new combined church is called St Andrew's United Reformed Church Walton and Weybridge. This new church now meets in Walton-on-Thames, about 2.2 miles away from the old Weybridge building.

History of the Church

The story of this church began even before the building was constructed. In 1843, the first Congregational church in this area started in Hersham. Its first minister, Reverend A.E. Lord, also preached in Weybridge in 1855.

Five years later, in 1860, a man named Benjamin Scott moved to Weybridge. He was an important figure in London and started holding outdoor church meetings on Sunday evenings. Many people were interested, so a local resident let them use his billiard room for services.

• In 1862, these meetings moved to a room in Benjamin Scott's own house.
• By 1863, the meetings were so popular that they needed a bigger room for 200 people.
• Benjamin Scott also became the first leader of the Surrey Congregational Union, which helped other Congregational churches in the area.

Building the Church

By 1864, the community decided they needed a permanent church building. Benjamin Scott bought the land on Queens Road where the church now stands. Another person, François Baron, who was very active in Sunday school work, also helped found the new church.

• The first stone for the church was laid on 4 July 1864.
• John Tarring was chosen as the architect to design the building.
• The church was finished in 1865, and the first service was held on 17 May 1865.
• François Baron became the first minister of the new Weybridge Congregational Church.
• Building the church cost £2,100. Benjamin Scott gave £500 and also donated the church organ.

Over the years, the church added more buildings. A school building opened in 1871, and a church hall was built in 1891. The church building itself was changed in 1886 with a new gallery. In 1965, for its 100th anniversary, the inside of the church was updated.

Becoming a United Reformed Church

In 1972, the Weybridge Congregational Church joined a new group called the United Reformed Church. This new group brought together most Congregational churches and the Presbyterian Church of England. Today, there are about 1,500 United Reformed churches in the UK.

Church Design and Importance

The Weybridge United Reformed Church was built in the Decorated Gothic Revival style. This style was popular in the 1800s and copied the look of churches from the 1300s.

• The church has a cross shape, which is called "cruciform."
• It has a tower in the middle with a tall, pointed spire on top.
• The walls are made of rough stone (rubble masonry) with smoother stone (ashlar) details.
• The roof is steep and covered with tiles.
• The windows are tall and narrow, known as "lancet windows."

Inside the church, you can find special plaques and memorials. These remember important people who helped the church, like Benjamin Scott and François Baron. There are also carved heads inside and outside the church. Some of these carvings represent three martyrs (people who died for their beliefs) from the 1500s: John Greenwood, Henry Barrowe, and John Penry.

Because of its beautiful design and history, the Weybridge United Reformed Church was given a Grade II listing on 24 October 1974. This means it is considered a "nationally important" building.

Church Activities and Merger

Before it closed, the Weybridge United Reformed Church held services every Sunday. It also supported local Guide and Scout groups, as well as other community groups.

On 1 January 2022, the Weybridge church officially merged with the Walton-on-Thames congregation. This created one larger United Reformed Church for both towns. The last service in the Weybridge building was held in August 2022. Now, the combined church meets only at the Walton-on-Thames location.

See also

• List of places of worship in Elmbridge