United Reformed Church Ewell

Were sermons ever preached in a barn? At the United Reformed Church Ewell, that’s a piece of its unusual history. The United Reformed Church Ewell stands as a testament to resilience, a beacon of faith rebuilt and revived time and again. The current church, established in 1905, is not the first on this site. Its predecessor, a humble structure, traces its roots back to the late 17th century. A time when dissenters met in secret, defying the Act of Uniformity. One such gathering, in 1667, took place in a house near the present church. Led by Francis Yowell, who later became the church’s first minister. The Epsom congregation, with links to London’s nonconformist communities, officially declared itself in 1688. This marks the United Reformed Church Ewell’s foundation. The church faced periods of decline. The late 18th century saw it fall into disrepair, even serving as a barn! Its roof decayed, pews gathered dust, and hymn books lay scattered. The building was nearly repurposed as a theater. But in 1803, a local gentleman, moved by the state of the chapel, leased it. He then restored it to its original purpose. The restoration was costly, requiring substantial subscriptions. The chapel thrived under ministers like Rev. John Harris, who served for 13 years. But division within the congregation led to a split in 1855. A new church was established elsewhere in Epsom. Eventually, these two congregations reunited in 1878 under Rev. Charles Harrison. Growth and expansion led to the construction of new schools in 1882. Then finally, the grand rebuilding of the United Reformed Church Ewell in 1905. The new church, costing £4,000, seated 500 and featured a new organ. Today, the United Reformed Church Ewell continues its mission. It carries the legacy of its predecessors, a story of faith, perseverance, and community.