The United Reformed Church

What is the United Reformed Church?

Formed in 1972 by the union of the Congregational Church in England and Wales and the Presbyterian Church of England, the United Reformed Church (URC) has continued to express its deep commitment to the visible unity of the whole Church.

In 1981 it entered into union with the Reformed Churches of Christ, and in the year 2000 with the Congregational Union of Scotland.  The URC is in frequent dialogue on unity with other traditions, and has more than 400 local churches united with other denominations.

The URC has around 42,000 members in about 1,200 congregations with more than 600 ministers. More than 48,400 people worship in our churches each week, and many more take part in the weekday activities of the churches.

The URC is a nonconformist Church. Put most simply, this means that we are not an ‘established’ Church, with a formal link to civil authority like, for example, the Church of England has.

However, the URC is committed to working closely with Churches of all traditions, in prayer and social action, and many of our local churches are now united with local churches from other traditions (Baptist, Church of England, or Methodist to name a few).

The URC also expresses its faith in the ministry of all God’s people through the structure of democratic Councils by which the Church is governed.

Becoming a member

People often ask whether they need to ‘join’ their church and become a member. This is not essential but, for those who decide to take this step, it can deepen their sense of belonging and it entitles a person to share in decisions about the life and future of the local church.

The URC encourages regular attendees to consider church membership when they start to think of a particular place of worship as ‘their church’.

Church members commit to supporting the church through giving, action, and by taking part in the Church Meeting, as well as through regular attendance at worship.

If you would like to know more about becoming a member, please speak to an Elder – they will be delighted to answer any questions.

See also the United Reformed Church website.