about us
about our worship
Our worship is simple and informal and is led by different people from week to week, ministers and lay preachers. Members of the congregation read from the Bible and we pray regularly for our partner URC churches, for our ecumenical neighbour churches, for local concerns and for the needs of the whole world.
our history
The chapel at Cumnor and St Columba's are two congregations of the United Reformed Church, a denomination created in 1972 when the Congregational Church in England and Wales and the Presbyterian Church in England were united. In 1981, many congregations of the Churches of Christ joined with us, and in 2000 the Congregational Church of Scotland also became part of the URC. Together we have a place both within the Reformed tradition and within the wider ecumenical movement.
Cumnor URC was founded in 1845 as a congregational chapel, a mission church from a neighbouring village. Its beginnings were marked by controversy as some of the local villagers made such loud protests when worship began at the simple chapel that they were arrested and brought before the magistrate in Abingdon. The first minister, however, resolved not to bring charges - and over time the villagers grew accustomed to the Nonconformists in their midst. The church has been served over the years by ministers, lay preachers and ministerial students and is still a thriving and prayerful community.
Cumnor chapel is known for its warm welcome and friendliness. Our worship is simple and direct and we enjoy our variety of worship leaders. We are working hard to keep ourselves at the heart of village life and to serve our community. Our recently refurbished premises and garden are enabling us to do this more effectively. We work with the other Christian communities in Cumnor to proclaim the Gospel in this place, and we are committed members of Churches Working Together in Cumnor. We support Christian Aid and Commitment for Life, and we are connected to the world church through the Council for World Mission.
