our history

The Banbury congregation has its roots in the Great Ejection of 1662. Key dates are below; for a more detailed history, please follow the link:

1672	Rev. Samuel Wells licensed to preach in Banbury
1708	Ordination of Stephen Davis
1716	The Old Meeting House acquired; congregation known as Presbyterian Old Meeting
1739	Rev. George Hampton becomes minister for the next 56 years
1787	A split occurred in the congregation, resulting in the formation of Banbury Unitarian Church and Independents who became Congregationalists
1797	Peter Usher becomes minister
1797	A Presbyterian (later Unitarian) day school was started by Peter Usher; it was later known as Banbury Academy, and lasted until 1908
1814	C.B. Hubbard becomes minister
1845	The congregation is described as ‘Unitarian-English Presbyterian’ in the local church directory
1843	Henry Hunt Piper becomes minister
1850	Christ-Church chapel is opened.
1865	C.C. Nutter becomes minister
1969	The congregation ceased to use the chapel; it was demolished in 1970
1994	Banbury Unitarian Fellowship comes into existence
2001	Malcolm Sadler becomes Lay Leader
2012	Sue Woolley becomes Student Minister

1st meeting of Banbury Unitarian Fellowship