The History of Reigate Park Church (1662 - 2015)
Reigate Park Church has a history going back to the 17th century.It started as an independent chapel and then as a Congregational Church. It is now part of the United Reformed Church, which was formed in 1972 by the union of the Congregational Church and the Presbyterian Church in England, which were subsequently joined by the Churches of Christ and the Congregational Union of Scotland.
The 17th and 18th centuries
There were tremendous difficulties for nonconformists in the 17th century. The Corporation Act and the Act of Uniformity were followed by the Conventicle Acts which prohibited meetings of more than five people not of the same family for worship, unless the Prayer Book was used. In 1664 a number of people were brought before the magistrates for offending against this law, so in Reigate it appears that meetings were held secretly until 1687, when they were allowed to worship openly. In that year the Rev. James Walters was appointed as the first minister.
The early meeting place was Blatts Barn in Reigate High Street. Later a chapel was built on the west side of the barn, which was then demolished.
During the 18th century it seems that services (in Congregational or Presbyterian form) were held spasmodically. The chapel is mentioned in Bishop Willis' Visitation in 1725 and the names of ministers are quoted for 1715, 1736 and 1763. The chapel was in a ruinous state by the end of the century.
The 19th centuries
The great missionary movements were started at this time, and this included the Surrey Mission, which helped to build a new chapel in Reigate in 1801 and a larger one in 1831. This was made possible by the generosity of Thomas Wilson, who purchased the orchard on which the barn formerly stood. At this time there was violent opposition from a faction of townspeople who tried, by rough horseplay, to interrupt the services.
The first Sunday School was established in 1803 in the Reigate Chapel by Miss Apted and two other ladies. This was considered positively dangerous by the local magistrates, who sent a letter to the teachers saying they had discussed the fact that they were teaching reading and writing as well as religious knowledge, and they "begged to inform the ladies that such proceedings were most dangerous, and the magistrates would not be answerable, for the peace of the town if they continued!" Nevertheless they continued in their work, and the Sunday School grew and flourished. There were 112 scholars attending in 1852.
In 1833, Thomas Rees of Highbury College was invited to the pastorate. He formed a church of 11 members. He came at midsummer, but was not ordained until 1835. He resigned in 1856, as he had lost his voice.
The Rev. George J. Adeney began his ministry in May 1856 and retired in 1897. The congregation rapidly increased under his leadership, and this necessitated extending the church at the rear, and the addition of transepts. Also, the number of children in the Sunday School increased, and reached 355 in 1882. Branch churches were set up in South Park, Kingswood and Mogador. Further extensions to the building were completed to accommodate the children and the growing congregation. Mr Adeney introduced the short address to the children into the morning worship.
In 1895, the Rev. G. Currie Martin was appointed as co-pastor and then successor to Rev. Adeney and he ministered for eight years. The next minister was the Rev. Selwyn J. Evans, who started his ministry in December 1903.
The 20th century (up to including the Second World War)
In the next few years there was a great deal of theological unrest in the churches, and a number of people left the church. The younger people felt that Mr Evans was sincere in his views, and was preaching a message more relevant to their needs. Many of the people of the church helped to run Saturday night popular concerts for local people in the public hall next to the church. These offered a sober alternative to pubs and music halls.
Mr Evans emigrated to Australia in 1911. He was succeeded, in 1913, by the Rev. C. Bentley Jutson from Brighton. He soon had to face all the turmoil caused by the First World War. The war was supposed to be the "War to end all wars", but in 1920, Mr Jutson was preaching sermons asking why it was necessary to go on building bigger and better guns. As a result of the war, there were fewer young people in the church. Mr Jutson died in 1930, just before his son, Howard, was ordained for the ministry.
The next minister was the Rev. L Neville Martin, who came from Whitley Bay. He was young and very enthusiastic, and a number of the older people looked forward to a period of growth, particularly as the work among young people took on a new lease of life. A new manse was acquired in Waterlow Road at this time.
Mr Martin’s preaching was often controversial, which younger members found stimulating and challenging. They were encouraged to take part in the preparation for worship, particularly in the monthly young people's services.
The Second World War then disrupted church life, although the normal services were well supported by the troops stationed in the neighbourhood. As in the First World War, the hall was used as a canteen. Mr Martin became an army chaplain. He later joined the Church of England and became the vicar of St Mark’s in Reigate.
The Rev. Edward W. Nicholas was inducted to the pastorate in 1944, and had the doubtful privilege of
arriving in Reigate at the same time as the first flying bomb. He was a most methodical and conscientious
visitor to members of the congregation.
The 20th century (after the Second World War)
After the war it was realised that there was a need for members of the congregation to get to know one another after the separation of the war years. The Wednesday Fellowship, which was a social evening for all the church family, was inaugurated, and this met the need for a number of years.
Mr Nicholas took a great interest in the needs of the district and took a leading part in launching the Ridgegate Home for the Elderly.
The Rev W. John Bremner became the minister in 1955. He provided a very thoughtful and prayerful ministry. At this time, more thought was given to the pastoral care of the congregation, and this was made more effective by the creation of area lists, so that the deacons had a clearer area of responsibility.
The state of the church buildings became an increasing concern, as it became clear that the maintenance of the very old structure would become an impossible burden for the financial resources of the church. A rebuilding advisory committee was appointed, and did a tremendous amount of work over the next few years. Discussions had taken place with other local churches on the possibility of a joint venture, but nothing materialised.
By 1963, outline planning consent had been obtained for the rebuilding of the church on vacant land at the rear of the existing church, but advice was received that the time was not opportune.
When it became apparent that the church was facing major redevelopment on another site, Mr Bremner felt he would be unable to see the whole project through, so retired in 1963. The church provided him with a dower house in Staplehurst.
The Rev. David M. Owen became minister in 1964. He served the first part of his ministry in the old High Street Church. In addition to its normal work, the church was deeply involved in making plans for the new church.
The second part of David Owen's ministry was based in new, more spacious, premises where there was a larger congregation coming from various traditions. In 1972, the site in Park Lane East was found, and eventually purchased after the High Street site was sold.
For nearly three years the church was without a building of its own. The Methodist Church premises were shared and there was a great deal of cooperation. During this time, in 1974, the South Park Congregational Church joined with us. The official opening of the new church building took place in November 1975.
During his long and caring ministry at Reigate, David Owen wrote and published books and hymns, broadcast and organised and led trips to the Holy Land and Oberammergau, He strove for greater co-operation with other churches and established our church family weekends. He moved into a new, purpose built manse in Priory Drive in January 1984. From 1988-1990, the ministry team included the Rev. Helena McKinnon as an auxiliary minister. David Owen returned to his native Wales in 1992.
The Rev. David Skitt became minister in late 1993. He expanded our house groups and youth work and introduced Easter holiday clubs for local primary school aged children. He started innovative evening services including healing services, and his concern for sick and bereaved people extended beyond our own church.
The 21st century
The congregation grew, and there were a large number of families whose children attended St Bede’s School which moved to welcome children from Free Church families as well as Anglicans and Roman Catholics.
Reigate Park became a very busy church, heavily involved in fundraising initiatives for overseas aid as well as care in the community.
In 2000 an extension called the Park Room was built which would accommodate a larger congregation more comfortably on a Sunday morning, but with a partition also enabling it to be used as a separate room for meetings. The kitchen was completely refurbished to comply with new regulations for the provision of Sunday lunches for those living alone. A church website was created in 2004.
David Skitt left at the end of 2007 to take up the post of synod pastor. After a vacancy period of nearly three years Rev. George Watt was inducted as minister on 12 September 2010.
In 2012, a new vision system was installed.
Messy Church was introduced, to engage families who found it difficult to attend on a Sunday as well as those that had no church connection. Other innovations included the introduction of Godly Play to worship, all age activities, and the Easter Experience and Christmas Journey for local primary school children.
For Remembrance Sunday, the tradition was established of starting the service at Reigate Park and then parading down to the War Memorial opposite St Luke’s church for the two minutes silence.
In 2015, Ruby Anniversary celebrations took place to mark 40 years in Park Lane East.
In 2017 the building was registered for the solemnisation of same-sex marriages, after 75% of attendees at Church Meeting voted in favour.
2020 was marked by COVID-19 which closed the church. On the first Sunday we were able to go online and with the help of Reuben Watt we were able to introduce live streaming which continued after lockdowns.
George Watt left the church in May 2021 to become synod moderator for the URC Thames North synod. During the vacancy the church was led by local church leader Susan Knight and the eldership.
In September 2023, the church achieved its A Rocha Eco-church Silver Award with all ages demonstrating a commitment to putting the environment at the heart of the church.
In 2024, the church became part of the North Downs Surrey Pastorate (NDSP), along with the URCs at Redhill, Dorking and Banstead. The Rev. Siobhán Antoniou was inducted as minister to the pastorate in September 2024.
In September 2025, following two years of training at Westminster College, Cambridge, the Rev. Susan Knight was ordained as minister (non-stipendiary) at Reigate Park Church, working alongside NDSP minister Rev. Siobhán Antoniou.
In November 2025, the 50th anniversary of the move to the Park Lane East site was celebrated with a special service, and a separate 1970s-themed party.
We acknowledge David Buckland as the major contributor to this history. Thanks also to the Revd. George Watt