| Raleigh Road United Church | |
| Coordinates: | 51.4677°N -0.2909°W |
| Location: | Raleigh Road, Richmond, London TW9 2HN |
| Country: | England |
| Denomination: | Methodist and United Reformed |
| Former Name: | Kew Road Methodist Church; St. Paul’s Congregational Church; St Paul's United Reformed Church |
| Functional Status: | Active |
| Completed Date: | 1956 |
| Synod: | Southern |
| Circuit: | Richmond and Hounslow |
| Minister: | Revd Claudia Lupi[1] |
Raleigh Road United Church, at the corner of Raleigh Road and Stanmore Gardens in Richmond, London, is a joint congregation of a Methodist Church and a United Reformed Church. The churches, formerly known as Kew Road Methodist Church and St. Paul's Congregational Church, have been united since September 1995.[1]
St Paul's Congregational Church, on Raleigh Road, opened on 12 December 1898 to provide for the religious needs of a rapidly growing new district of Richmond. The only other Congregational church in Richmond was situated in The Vineyard, a mile and a half away. The building was funded mainly by Alderman Sir Charles Burt, a prominent member of The Vineyard Church[2] and a former mayor of Richmond.[3] That building was destroyed by enemy action on 1 October 1940 and the current building was opened on 8 December 1956.[2] [4]
Kew Road Methodist Church opened in 1868, on a site purchased from a portion of the Countess of Shaftesbury's estate. It originally acted as a chapel on Sundays and, until 1927, a day school during the week. An additional chapel, which seated 1,000 people, was added in 1872. This was destroyed by fire in 1881, and was rebuilt in 1882.[4]
In 1933 a new church was required to accommodate both Kew Road and Sheen Road churches and it was decided to develop the Kew Road site.In 1937 the old church was demolished and a new church was erected. This closed in 1995 with the merger with St Paul's United Reformed Church and was replaced with a block of flats.[4]
The minister is Revd Claudia Lupi.[1]
Services are held on Sunday mornings at 10.30 am. During school terms there is also a Junior Church session at the same time.[1] [5]
The church has three halls, which are used for private functions and community groups.