Congregational Church of England and Wales

In 1876 a meeting was held to consider the building of a Congregational Church and in 1878 the Congregational Lecture Hall was opened in Station Road. The Sidcup Congregational Church was formed in 1879. In 1887 the foundation stone was laid for a new church in Station Road (opposite Victoria Road). The church opened in 1888 with room for 550 and a further 300 in a gallery.

During the First World War the Church Hall was converted into an Auxiliary Hospital and 1065 soldiers were treated. During the Second World War the Congregational Hall was used to shelter homeless families and during September 1940 gave shelter to 500 people. In 1942 the local paper reported a Christmas party for Belgian refugees.

In 1971 a 95% majority of members supported a union of the Congregational and Presbyterian Churches to form the United Reformed Church. Between 1973 and 1975 discussions between the United Reformed Church and the Methodist Churches eventually led to a 75% majority of both churches in favour of combining. For financial and practical reasons the United Reformed Church building was chosen as the new church of the merged congregations. The name Emmanuel Church was selected.

Source: http://www.emmanuelchurchsidcup.org.uk