Countess Free Church
| Countess Free Church Ely | |
|---|---|
| Countess of Huntingdon Free Church Ely | |
 | |
 | |
| Location | Ely, Cambridgeshire |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Denomination | Countess of Huntingdon Connexion |
| Website | www.countessely.co.uk |
| History | |
| Founded | 1700s |
| Founder(s) | Countess of Huntingdon |
| Clergy | |
| Pastor(s) | Karl Relton |
The Countess Free Church is a church based in the centre of Ely, Cambridgeshire, and holding events across the city.[1] The church meets on a Sunday morning at 10.30am as well as activities and groups for people of all ages through the week, including a strong community focus by hosting various groups and activities mid-week.[2] The church buildings are located in Chapel Street, near Ely Cathedral and the current pastor is Karl Relton.[3]
Mission and vision
The members understand themselves as "a church in mission across the city", with a tag-line of "Seeking to Worship, Seeking to Serve". The church functions as a Baptist church, practising believers baptism and a congregational governance model.[4]
History
The Countess of Huntingdon Free Church Ely was founded in 1785 by Selina Hastings, the Countess of Huntingdon. The church is part of the Countess of Huntingdon's Connexion, a small protestant denomination of just over 20 churches.[5] During its history it has also been part of the historic Congregational Union. The congregation now is baptistic in nature, practising believer's baptism and having a congregational model of church governance. In 2019 the church also associated with the Eastern Baptist Baptist Association, a region of Baptists Together in the United Kingdom.
In 2007 one of the Elders was given a vision for a new church in the High Barns area of Ely. New Connexions Free Church was planted and is now an established church in its own right, meeting at Larkfields Community Centre.[6]
In recent years the church has been at the forefront of city-wide initiatives in partnership with other churches in the city, such as Ely Foodbank, the Ely CAP Debt Centre, and an in-school chaplaincy in the local secondary school. With the city growing, the church is active in considering new pioneer opportunities among the new housing estates.
References
- ^ "Countess Free Church Ely". Countessely.co.uk. Retrieved 6 August 2018.
- ^ "Countess Free Church Ely - Visit – Sundays". Countessely.co.uk. Retrieved 6 August 2018.
- ^ "Countess Free Church Ely - Leadership Team". Countessely.co.uk. Retrieved 6 August 2018.
- ^ "Countess Free Church Ely - Who We Are – About Us". Countessely.co.uk. Retrieved 6 August 2018.
- ^ "Countess Of Huntingdons Connexion". Cofhconnexion.org.uk. Retrieved 6 August 2018.
- ^ "Glad you're visiting! - New Connexions Church". New Connexions Church. Retrieved 6 August 2018.