Last updated | 29 November 2023

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Our history

The land next door was purchased and through generous gifts from two of its trustees, W A Hounsom and William Stevens, the current Sanctuary that see today was built in 1932. Under the name of Portslade & West Hove Congregational Church.

It is good to note here that Mr Hounsom then went on to build our sister Church in Hangleton, Hounsom Memorial Church.

1972 saw the union of the Congregational Church of England & Wales with the Presbyterian Church of England forming the United Reformed Church. Our Church from then on became known as Portslade United Reformed Church and in 1984 we celebrated our Centenary year.

In 1994 we started our outreach into the local community by purchasing 52 Station Road from Bakers & Son Funeral Directors, refurbishing the premises and connecting it to the Church. From here on many groups met during the week and from 2001 The Brighton Hove & District Battalion of The Boys’ Brigade tranferred their headquarters from their old building in Brighton to ‘52’, Kidz Klub set up their Registered Office in ‘52’ (also in 2001 we refurbished the sanctuary by replacing the old pews with chairs) and in 2009 Off The Fence setup their Women’s Outreach Centre in partnership with us, they then later purchased “52” to further their work.

Our church first started life meeting in a tin hut under the name of Fishersgate Congregational Church in 1875. About 9 years later, due to lack of room, it spread to a Barge in Shoreham Harbour and met under the name of Fishersgate Mission. The service were led at that time, by the brothers of Bishop Hannington - Joseph and Philip Hannington.

In 1903 the Mission built a more permanent meeting place in St. Aubyns Road , which we use today as our Church Hall. (Pictured below)

This picture of St Aubyns Road features the meeting place (left of the picture) and is dated 1913

We are a Christian church. At the heart of our faith is God, who made the universe, and who loves us. We believe that God has been revealed to us in a variety of ways, but most importantly through Jesus Christ. We believe that Jesus came from God, not to condemn us but to save us, and that he was born as a human being just like us. Jesus spent some time teaching about God and showing God’s love through healing’s and other miracles. He was executed, but rose to new life three days later. We believe that he did this for us all – to free us from the hurt and the pain that we cause and feel, and from the fear that makes us so defensive and that divides us from God and from each other. We believe that, just as Jesus was filled with the Spirit of God, God now sends the Holy Spirit to the church to fill us with the new life that Jesus lives. It is through this new life that God is drawing all people and all creation towards peace and unity.

So who are we? We are just ordinary people from different backgrounds who are trying to trust God and explore together how to live the life of God’s Spirit. We are far from perfect, but we live in hope of a better world where what God wants happens. That is why we spend time together praying and learning from the Bible. It’s why we are involved in various forms of Youth Work. It’s why we run groups like Tuesday Fellowship and it’s why we make our building available as a meeting place for the local community. It’s why we are in partnership with Off The Fence’s Project Gateway as they work alongside local women, supporting them in times of crisis.

Who are we? We are people on a journey of faith and hope and we are ready to share with you on your journey, so why not join us?

Who Are The People That Worship Here Today?

Portslade United Reformed Church is situated on the western side of the city of Brighton and Hove, on the south coast of the United Kingdom.

We are part of a 3 church pastorate along with Hounsom Memorial and Hove Central URC’s.