Some Key Points in the History of Congregationalists leading to our church

AD30 – Pentecost: Considered the birthday of the Christian Church by many. After Jesus had been crucified, risen again and then ascended to heaven; as Jesus had promised the Holy Spirit filled the disciples on Pentecost, and over 3000 joined them that day.

1st Century – New Testament Model: We model our churches on the New Testament churches which were founded by the Apostles. They travelled in twos around their known world spreading the Good News and planting the seeds of a new life in Jesus wherever there was a community who accepted Him as their saviour.

4th Century – Rome adopts Christianity: The Christian faith grew very rapidly in the early 4th century AD when Roman Emperor Constantine the Great was converted and  the transition began to it being the dominant religion of the empire.

16th Century – The Reformation: This was a significant event for Congregationalists, where Martin Luther in 1517 and later John Calvin and the Reformers challenged the Catholic Church, papal authority and practises. Some of the main points raised by the Protestants were:

• the Bible at the centre of Christian life guiding thought and belief.
• Salvation through faith in Christ and not works, pious or otherwise.
• That everyone can approach God without the need for a priest to pray, pardon our sins.
• The communion bread and wine not physically transforming into the blood and body of Christ, but where spiritual life is communicated to those who partake by the living Christ as we receive Holy Communion in repentant faith.

16th and 17th Century – Separatists and Independents: The Protestant Church of England was created when Henry VIII split the church in England from the Roman Catholic Church in 1533. People called Separatists, chose to separate from the Church of England rather than change it. They advanced the ideas of Robert Browne, who was active in both Great Yarmouth and Norwich in the 16th century, and is regarded by some as the founder of Congregationalism. Many Separatists were tortured and some martyred under Elizabeth I which led to some settling in Holland to escape persecution. Some of whom returned later to England; others set sail for the New World on the Mayflower and the ill-fated Speedwell in 1620. These formed the early Congregational churches in the USA.
During the Long Parliament (1640-53) the Independents, as Congregationalists became known, became increasingly active and influential, especially in the army because of their association with Oliver Cromwell. Their power peaked during the period of the Commonwealth in the 1650’s, but collapsed on Cromwell’s death and the confusion that led to recall of King Charles II. 

17th Century – Banned and Learning: In 1662 the Act of Uniformity was the first of several attempts to root out Congregationalists from English life. During this period of persecution however some very important Nonconformist works were produced by: John Owen, John Bunyan and John Milton, among others, which shaped the characteristics of religious attitudes in the English Dissenters consciousness. The accession of William and Mary in 1688 with the consequent Toleration Act of 1689 provided some relief for Congregationalists as they were allowed to build churches and worship, but they would still face disadvantages for some time. Under Queen Anne they were banned from public office unless communion was taken at the Anglican parish church, and attempts were made to deprive them of their schools. In the 17th and 18th century Congregationalists became especially active in education, a consequence of being banned from universities, which resulted in small schools and academies being established, which often were more attuned to the needs of everyday life. 

18th and 19th Century – Evangelical Revival, Methodism, Missionary Society: Congregationalist churches benefited greatly from the great Evangelical revival and Methodism. Many ministers and people were inspired to join Congregational churches. A result of this Evangelical Revival was the founding of the Missionary Society in 1818. Later named the London Missionary Society, and after joining with two other similar societies to become the Council for World Mission, spreading ‘the glorious gospel of the blessed God’ throughout the world.

19th Century – Long Stratton Congregational Church Founded: It was during the first half of the 19th century and the Victorian period Congregationalism expanded, consolidated and increasingly shared fully in civil life and the prosperity of those times. In 1821 the Long Stratton Congregational fellowship formed, building and dedicating the ‘Chapel’ in 1840. 

20th Century – Reopening/Unity Not Uniformity: Having been closed for some years the church was re-opened in the early 1960’s, and re-established regular worship. Long Stratton chose not to become a part of the United Reformed Church (URC) in 1972, instead wishing to emphasis ‘Unity not Uniformity’, which is still evident in the church today, understanding that each church and each us has a different path which may require diverse expression and service.        

* dates are indicative start dates