St Paul's - History

taken from Sue Perrett's history
November 1980

The processes which led to the building of St Paul's Church in Harmanswater really started in the mid-1960s. The then members of what later became the United Reformed Church (URC) in the High Street became aware that the Anglicans were not going to be able to build on the land in Harmanswater that they had been given by the Development Corporation. During 1967, approaches were made through the Vicar of Bracknell, and in the middle of the year the Anglicans sold the land to the URC for £1. Harmanswater Community Association offerred accommodation for services and weeknight activities so that the church was able to begin working in its new environment even before the new building was completed. The last Sunday Services in the old Church were held on 10 September 1967 and after that date activities transferred to Harmanswater.

Members of the Church joined the Community Association in visiting new residents in Harmanswater. Outreach to the local area continued with House Groups organised by Church Members and a bi-monthly communication called 'Contact' was delivered to all houses. At this time the Sunday School received an influx of 29 children and two teachers from the Methodist Church when its building in London Road closed, bringing the strength up to over 100 children.

On 14 June 1969 the Foundation Stone for the new Church was laid and on 2 May 1970, the Dedication Service was held with an attendance of over 350 people. Compensation for the old Church in the High Street was £29,000. Gifts of money towards the new building were received from: the Presbytery of London South; the Berks, South Oxon and South Bucks Union; St Andrew's Presbyterian Church, Walton-on-Thames; and St Andrew's Presbyterian Church, Woking, who also provided equipment for the Junior Church. Members raised over £2,000 towards the total of £45,634, leaving a surplus of £2,700 after the cost of £42,897 had been paid.

There are now 59 Anglicans on the Electoral Roll worshipping at St Paul's, drawn largely from the districts of Harmanswater and Crown Wood. Worship is central church style and vestments are worn. A number of joint services are held with the URC minister and congregation, the style of which varies from one occasion to the next.