Sandwich Kent England UK: United Reformed Church

Sandwich United Reformed Church is one of the earliest of the independent chapels - the present building dating back to 1706.

The Independent Chapels, or as they were called, Meeting Houses, erected by men and women who felt that they could not comply with the Act of Uniformity and who believed that they had a right to worship God in accordance with the dictates of their own conscience.

Though the beginnings of the Sandwich Independent Chapel are veiled in obscurity, there is sufficient evidence to prove that the cause was in existence prior to 1643. In that year we are told that they used as their Meeting House a building at the back of Guildhall on the site of an inn formerly used by Canterbury Pilgrims.

Of historical interest are the two wooden pillars supporting the centre of the church which were the masts of the ships which brought the 'Dissenters' to England.

The present church was built in 1706 at a cost then of nearly £400 and during the renovation of 1897 it was re-floored, re-roofed and re-seated in pine and a new pulpit was provided.

Note: Individual Church websites can be found on the Events & Organisations pages.

Information from the Sandwich History Society publications & archives - photos © Open Sandwich

History Pages:

• Introduction
• Origin of the Sandwich
• The Cinque Ports
• Past & Present Photos
• Old Pubs & Inns
• Historic Churches
• Richborough
• People & History
• Ancient Traditions
• Ancient Hospitals
• First Mayors
• 13th Century Election
• 15th Century Council
• Good Ship Hercules
• History Time Line
• Family History