Building Name: | United Reformed Church |
Location: | Street, Somerset, England |
Geo: | 51.1256°N -2.7424°W |
Architect: | Samuel Pollard |
Year Completed: | 1855 |
The United Reformed Church (originally known as the Congregational Chapel) is a United Reformed Church in Street, Somerset, England. It was designed by Samuel Pollard and built in 1854–55.
Independent worship began in Street in 1798, when part of a house was briefly used as a place of worship.[1] A new following was formed in 1852, with Sunday services held at the Temperance Hall, often by ministers from Taunton and Bristol. Street's congregation officially formed as a church on 3 September 1853. As the Temperance Hall quickly became too small to hold the growing congregation, fundraising began for a purpose-built chapel. A plot of land was donated by Messrs C. & J. Clark and plans for a chapel capable of seating 400 people were drawn up by Samuel Pollard of Taunton.[2]
Mr. Samuel Petvin of Street was hired as the builder and the foundation stone was laid by Mr. Thomas Simpson of Manchester on 8 August 1854.[3] The chapel, which cost approximately £500 to build, opened for Divine service on 29 May 1855. A sermon was preached by Rev. H. Addiscott of Taunton in the morning and Rev. H. Quick of Taunton preached in the evening. By the time of its opening, approximately £120 of its cost was left to raised.[2]
A schoolroom was added in 1866 and the chapel enlarged and provided with new seating in 1874.[1] [4] The schoolroom was later rebuilt at a cost of £600, with opening services held on 1 March 1885.[5]
The church remains active as part of the Mid Somerset URC Group.[6]