Building
The church met in a variety of places until, in 1697, land was set aside in
Whiting Street. A building was complete by 1708 and was known as the
Independent Chapel. That building was almost square with a high central
pulpit to emphasise the high regard of the Ministry of the Word.
As numbers grew, the building was extended: firstly a gallery at the rear, then the sides and finally an extension behind the pulpit to include an organ loft. Externally, the Victorian gothic facade was added in 1866. Meantime, in 1851, the Sunday School which had met for 50 years needed new premises so the school-room was built and a further extension with smaller rooms was added in 1887.
Martyrs' Memorial
The Church rejoiced in its history and, in 1904, erected a memorial in
the forecourt to Elias Thacker and John Copping. They were two early martyrs who died for
their beliefs in independence. While the Church cherishes its past, it
is not afraid of change. Early intolerance and fierce religious independence have
matured into ecumenical co-operation.
Recent History
Up to 1972 Whiting Street Church belonged to the Congregational Denomination.
With the ecumenical movement gathering momentum, the Congregationalists combined
with the the Presbyterians to form a new denomination, The United Reformed Church.
Another Denomination,
The Churches of Christ, later joined the United Reformed Church.
In this way and others, the divisions within in the church are being healed.