Built in 1875, High Street Congregational Church was built to stand out! It was unusual in design and raised up to look over the surrounding area. It provided a worship space for over 1200 seated worshipers. A large, cavernous area built in the Reformed tradition, striking from the outside, yet unadorned on the inside, lacking any religious icons or imagery. There was not a single seat where you would not be able to see or hear the preacher. Where the voices of over 1200 worshipers would fill the space, a sound to behold! A church built for sound and vision!

Since its opening, High Street has been integral in the life of the people of Wellingborough and surrounding areas. Not only through its Christian service, but the many community groups and events it hosts. From the sadness of loss to the joys of marriage, coffee mornings to concerts and other large community gatherings, High St is open to all.

But, as custodians of this iconic Grade II* listed building we are responsible for its upkeep, and long-term future. We recognise that reliance on the worshiping community and the current income from other uses will not be sufficient going forward.

One option would be to close the church and return to worshipping in Salem Hall, just as our forbearers did. However, that would lead to the loss of this valuable resource to the community of Wellingborough. But more importantly it would be a betrayal to the faith of those young men who had the vision to purchase the land and build this wonderful building.

Therefore, this spurred us on to develop plans for a major project to make significant external and internal changes. Those plans have been passed by the Listed Building Advisory Group of the United Reformed Church and Wellingborough Borough Council. These changes will deliver enhanced accessibility in and around the building. An area partitioned off providing a flexible space for small and larger meetings and much improved facilities for providing refreshments.

In essence the project consists of three separate chunks of work. The ramp and glass doors, the interior re-configuration to create 'The Hub' area, and the re-decoration of the church interior.

The ramp and glass doors will be the first phase to be completed, which we hope will be completed early 2023. This will be followed by the internal re-configuration, which will see the church partitioned off to create The Hub.

The final phase will be the re-decoration of the worship area, balcony, stairwells and ceiling, in line with The Hub.

For further information on each of these phases please click on the links below.

The total cost of this project is expected to be in the region of £650,000, of which we have already raised approximately £411,000.

This is thanks to our congregation, who continue to give through regular giving or by attending our fundraising events, and the generosity of a number of grant making organisations along with a significant  donation from the East Midlands Synod.

Those grant making organisations include...

• Melbourne Memorial Trust
• URC East Midlands Synod
• Everdon Willis Fund
• Laing Family Trust
• Benefact Trust
• John Warren Foundation
• Constance Travis Charitable Trust

If you would like to support this project there are several ways in which you can, and if you are a tax payer and make a Gift Aid Declaration we can recover an additional 25% at no cost to you by completing our online form.

To donate by card through Give A Little, click on the button below or scan in the the QR code from your mobile device.

Donations can be made by bank transfer to our bank account below. Please include your name and 'The HUB' in the payment reference. For instance Joe Bloggs The HUB.

• Wellingborough United Reformed Church
• HSBC
• Sort code 40 44 26
• Acct no 41102567