The North Cotswolds Group of United Reformed Churches is a partnership of four separate churches: Prestbury URC and St Andrew’s URC in Cheltenham, Brockworth Free Church URC near Gloucester and Broadway URC in Worcestershire.
Prestbury and St Andrew’s have worked closely together for many years and the partnership is known as Cheltenham URC; the congregation of Warden Hill URC in Cheltenham recently merged with St Andrew’s but the building is used for outreach and occasional services as well as a community hub.
The styles of worship across the churches are very different; they can even vary from week to week. There are modern family-friendly services, traditional style services, and sometimes Taize worship and Cafe style services.
Each separate URC Church is managed by a team of elected and ordained Elders. Some Elders from across the Pastorate meet together regularly to discuss what each church is doing and to organize joint projects.
It would be impossible for our Pastorate Minister to officiate at every Sunday service so we are also served by many ‘guest preachers’ – retired clergy, lay preachers and groups from the congregations.
Each church hosts various social groups and events, but every service or social is open to anyone and there is an intermingling of our congregations.
In addition to the regular Sunday and weekday services across the Pastorate there are Bible study groups, small groups who meet for prayers and the opportunity to explore spirituality and theology through discussion.
There is a lively social life with groups and various activities catering for all ages – ‘from the cradle to the grave’. Not to mention Coffee Mornings, Church Fairs and Film Shows.
There is something for everyone at the North Cotswolds Group of United Reformed Churches!
Our Churches
Founded in 1866 to provide non-conformist worship in the village, Prestbury is the oldest church in Cheltenham URC. The church is a traditional red-brick chapel prominently situated on the main road through the centre of the village.
There is a ramp for easy access to the front door, a loop system and a disabled loo.
We have a good relationship with our near neighbour, the Anglican Parish Church of St Mary. Every Easter the Parish Cross stands outside our church as a visible symbol to all of the true meaning of Easter.
The Church has good links with the local Prestbury St Mary’s Federation of Infant and Junior Schools, with some of our members taking part in ‘Open The Book’ teams, the minister regularly taking services and one of our members is on the Board of Governors.
The church is home to the Prestbury Urchins baby-and-toddler group and the Friday Coffee, Chat++ for the more mature citizen. The congregation may be small but there is an active fund-raising and social life.
St Andrew’s United Reformed Church is in the Montpellier district of Cheltenham town centre. A former Presbyterian church, founded in 1885, it became United Reformed on unification with the Congregationalists in 1972.
The buildings are Grade II listed, Victorian Gothic, which require a considerable amount of upkeep.
2024 will see the restoration of the Spire.
St Andrew’s offers impressive facilities, meeting the needs of 21st century Cheltenham.
“Through Faith, Fellowship and Care, We affirm that Jesus is Lord”
Our Mission is to tell the good news of Christ, build relationships and encourage belonging.
Our major concerns are as an ECO church, we have gained the A Rocha Silver Award and are working towards GOLD.
Worship at St Andrew’s Cheltenham is ‘Reformed’, traditional with emphasis on preaching the Word of God and the use of congregational singing. The Willis organ at St Andrew’s is played at the majority of services. We support a range of Charities, local, national and international.
Warden Hill URC Centre is a 1960’s building. The church fellowship merged with St Andrew’s during 2022, the building now hosts community activity and a monthly weekday worship.
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The first Congregational chapel in Brockworth was founded in 1899. However, by the 1950 they had outgrown these premises and a new church opened on the current site in 1958. A new church building was opened in 1971 and the church joined the new URC in 1972.
The church plays a prominent part in the life of the village and is home to a thriving company of Pilots – a youth organisation of the URC
Broadway village is in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty in the northern Cotswolds. The village known all over the world for its mellow honey-coloured stone buildings and as such is a mecca for tourists.
The Church is on the High Street . There is also a hall and meeting room. The church has wheelchair access, a loop-system and a disabled loo.
The church was founded in 1792 a a centre for Non-Conformist worship. It became a Congregational Church and then joined the newly-formed URC in 1972.
The church has achieved the Bronze ECO award from A Rocha.
Warden Hill URC Centre is administered by St Andrew’s. It was built just over 60 years ago and is situated in the middle of large housing estates on the southern edge of Cheltenham in an area that attracts families, first time buyers as well as retired people.
The church is used for special services, weddings and funerals. On the 3rd Wednesday of every month we run ‘Messy Vintage’ which is a mixture of worship, craft and companionship for the more mature citizen. There is also a monthly community film show and a fortnightly group for the mature citizen.
There is wheel-chair access to all parts of the building.
For many years, Warden Hill URC was in a formal partnership (Local Ecumenical Partnership) with St Christopher’s Parish Church just across the road. Whilst the LEP has now dissolved the churches will continue to work in friendship to promote Christian Mission in Warden Hill.