United Reformed Church, Street Explained

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.

History

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]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Parishes: Street | British History Online . British-history.ac.uk . 2020-01-12.
  2. News: New Congregational chapel. . The Wells Journal . 2 June 1855. 12 January 2020. . subscription .
  3. News: New Independent chapel. . The Wells Journal . 12 August 1854. 12 January 2020. . subscription .
  4. News: Street. . The Central Somerset Gazette . 15 August 1874. 12 January 2020. . subscription .
  5. News: Congregational chapel. Opening of the new schoolrooms. . The Central Somerset Gazette . 7 March 1885. 12 January 2020. . subscription .
  6. Web site: The Mid Somerset Urc Group - Street Urc . https://web.archive.org/web/20190312035625/http://www.midsomerseturc.net/page14.htm . dead . 2019-03-12 . 2020-01-12.