A day to dance

03/10/2022 | Reform

Stephen Tomkins revisits the day the URC was born

The sun shone on London for 5 October 1972. Three thousand people, Congregationalists and Presbyterians, gathered to become the United Reformed Church, celebrating the fruition of nine years’ work and full … Read More

I remember it well: Memories of 1972

03/10/2022 | Reform

Stephen Tomkins interviewed scores of people for his book That They All May Be One: The story of the United Reformed Church. These are some of the memories they shared of the founding of the URC in 1972

It was … Read More

I remember it well 2

03/10/2022 | Reform

Geoffrey Roper recalls 1972

For years we had been issued pamphlets in blue (Presbyterian colour) or brown (Congregational) setting out principles, proposals, drafts and finally the Scheme of Union and parliamentary bill. These were discussed and debated (sometimes heatedly, sometimes … Read More

I remember it well 3

03/10/2022 | Reform

Gwen Hall, a member of the Joint Negotiating Committee, looks back to 1972

My husband Richard was the Minister of Emmanuel Congregational Church, Cambridge, in 1969, and I been doing things with the women and students in the church. There … Read More

Open the doors

03/10/2022 | Reform

John Danso looks back at the obstacles people from ethnic minorities have faced in the Church

Let me take this opportunity to wish the United Reformed Church a happy 50th anniversary celebration. It is nice to celebrate a journey of … Read More

The URC Act at 50

03/10/2022 | Reform

Matthew Prevett looks at the lasting impact of the act that allowed the URC to be formed

Acts of parliament do not make for exciting reading. They are known for what they permit or restrict, for their impact on day-to-day … Read More