WESTGATE CHURCH HISTORY
Westgate Church (which has now become Westgate New Church) was originally a "Countess" church, founded in 1780, but subsequently joined the Congregational Union, then in 1972 when Congregational and Presbyterian Churches joined together it became part of the United Reformed Church.
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Countess of Huntingdon’s Connexion (“Countess” Churches) In the eighteenth century the law strictly controlled appointment of ministers of religion and establishment of preaching places. However, as a peer the widowed Selena, Countess of Huntingdon, was able to appoint evangelical clergymen as her “chaplains” and build chapels. In this way a Calvinistic evangelical connexion was established, with the Countess of Huntingdon as it’s first leader. Today, in other parts of the country, some “Countess” churches still exist; however, many others including the Wood Street Chapel which developed into Westgate Church in Peterborough joined the Congregational Union when it was established in 1832. |
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Congregationalists Congregationalists - known earlier as Separatists and then Independents - go back to the 16th century; but were particularly important in the 17th century Commonwealth Period, under Oliver Cromwell. After this time legislation discouraged “Dissenters” by debarring them from public office and higher education, but in the 18th Century a general revival of evangelical religion benefited Congregationalists as it did the new religious group known as Methodists. Eventually many Congregational churches - including Westgate - joined with Presbyterians to form the United Reformed Church, in 1972. |
KEY DATES IN THE HISTORY OF WESTGATE CHURCH PRIOR TO UNION WITH WENTWORTH STREET
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1776 |
Rev Craddock Glascott, of the Countess of Huntingdon’s Connexion, lodged at a house in Westgate and held house meetings, also preaching on the steps of the Guildhall |
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1780 |
Opening of a small and plain Meeting House for Dissenters in Wood Street; at this stage a “Countess” church |
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1809-1877 |
Foundation of village chapels in the area around Peterborough |
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1832 |
The chapel was first lit by coal gas |
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1833 |
Establishment of the Congregational Union |
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1836 |
Chapel extended, to allow addition of a Sunday School |
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1850 |
Side galleries were added to the chapel. At about this time, evolution of the national railways network first made Peterborough an important centre. |
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1853-1882 |
Ministry of Rev Alexander Murray |
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1859 |
Building of a new church on the present site, in Westgate, to seat 675. At the stonelaying a “time capsule” was buried in the building in a bottle. |
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1882-1911 |
Ministry of Rev William John Butler |
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1891 |
Church destroyed by fire; and rebuilt within six months |
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1892-1911 et seq. |
PSA (Pleasant Sunday Afternoon) Adult Bible Class, established at Westgate by William Butler, a significant influence on the life of many Peterborough Non-conformists. Other church organisations, such as Boys and Girls Brigades, Christian Endeavour, Temperance organisations, choir, also contributed greatly to the active life of the church and our city. A peak period for church attendance and influence. |
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1914-1918 1939-1945 |
World Wars and the intervening period of Depression adversely affected church life as they did the whole life of the nation. |
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1959 |
Centenary celebrations followed a period of refurbishment of church premises. |
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1972 |
Congregational and Presbyterian churches united to form the United Reformed Church |
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1978 |
Locally, Westgate United Reformed Church and Wentworth Street Methodist Chapel united to form Westgate Church. |
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1983 |
Westgate Church interior again destroyed by fire but refurbished. |
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Fire in 1891
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Fire in 1983