Clarendon Park Congregational Church
About us
Clarendon Park Congregational Church is a Grade ll listed building established in 1886, independently governed by its members at the Church meeting, believing in equality, but affiliated to the Congregational Federation.
We follow Christian principles to serve the community in numerous ways. We support charities both locally and worldwide as well as providing a venue for many local community based organisations. Through our outreach we endeavour to communicate the Gospel to all peoples.
We follow follow the Sacraments of Communion & Baptism (Christening children). All are welcome for no one should be turned away.
All are welcome at The Lords's Table: Communion is held the first Sunday of the Month and we partake in the bread and wine together as one body of believers. Jesus' Promise: "For where two or three gather in my name, I am there with them." (Matthew 18:20).
What is the Congregational Federation?
Clarendon Park Congregational Church is part of the Congregational Federation. Congregationalism seeks to model itself upon the principles of the New Testament. Back in the 16th Century brave men and women took a courageous stand against what was then a largely corrupt State Church. By becoming a dissenting church the members risked imprisonment and their leaders risked death. Indeed many did die and whole congregations were cast into prison. But despite the persecution they grew and spread across Britain becoming at one time the largest Free Church denomination in the UK.
The faith of Congregationalists is fairly orthodox but there are some distinctives about how our congregations are structured and governed:
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Each local church is autonomous or self governing
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Our churches are non-hierarchical - everyone is of equal importance regardless of age or gender
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Our ministers are neither priests nor in authority over the congregation, though they are usually theologically trained
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Each church is governed or run by its congregation or members who seek to be led by scripture and the Holy Spirit
The sense of mutual respect and mutual accountability resonates with the teaching and example of Jesus. Historically, Congregational churches have not held to any written man-made code of beliefs, but we accept the Bible as God's Word and look to the Holy Spirit to help us draw truth from its pages.