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Temple Cowley United Reformed Church

Oxford Road, Cowley, OXFORD, OX4 2ES

Church office :

+44 (0)1865 751621

Minister :

Office : (as above) or

Home :

+44 (0)1865 421891

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Introduction

Quote of the Week

It is the instinct of Christianity to be glad that God has broken the universe into little pieces . . That he might love it. . . All modern philosophies are chains which connect and fetter; Christianity is a sword which separates and sets free. No other philosophy makes God actually rejoice in the separation of the universe into living souls.

G.K.Chesterton, Orthodoxy, p.139

Temple Cowley URC is one of eight United Reformed Churches in the Oxford area. During the 1930s it became a spiritual and social home for many who came seeking work at the nearby Morris car plant (now home to the new BMW Mini). Many of them were Welsh, and Welsh connections remain, although Cowley is now home for many different nationalities, and has a large student population.

The URC was formed in 1972 from the merger of two national churches with roots in the 17th century Reformation : the Congregational and the Presbyterian Churches. Later, the Churches of Christ joined.

Temple Cowley URC (right) and the new Emmaus Community House (left, including the older residential house). March ‘09.

Statement of Faith of the United Reformed Church

The church operates an Environmental Policy and a Fair Trade Policy.

ANNUAL REPORT

For a critical overview of the church’s life during 2006-07, read the minister’s Annual Report, adopted at the AGM on May 6th 2007.

Report for viewing/reading on screen (Adobe Acrobat file, 152Kb)

If you find your computer does not have an Adobe Acrobat reader, you can find out where to download one free on the ‘Calendar’ page.

Blog

The Revd Dick Wolff launched a blog in February 2008, where he posts comments, short articles, letters &c about current events and often about the relationship between British society, organised religion (and ‘pseudo-religion’) and the life of Christian faith, particularly in the light of the New Testament account.

On it, readers are able to post comments and responses.

The material here does not necessarily reflect the views of the United Reformed Church, either locally at Temple Cowley, or nationally.

Go to Blog

Minister’s Blog since Feb 08 (see below)

This site last updated June 19th ’09

The active membership is now around 30 in number; the church also hosts the Oxford Parent Infant Project.

On the site of the former church hall next door, Dominion Housing have built a new community house for Emmaus Oxford - a community for homeless people. It opened in March 2009 and so far 8 of the 24 places are filled.

2008 : A New Vision

In May ’07 the church embarked on a new journey : we are considering establishing a residential Christian community committed to practical engagement in social action in the area. If it proves feasible, it is likely to be a couple of years before we have the resources to do it, but follow the link (left) to the Community House page and you can learn more about it and its progress.