The cache is hidden near to the site of the Radlett United Free Church, formed from the union of the Methodist and United Reformed Church in 1980
Methodist Church
In 1903 the first Wesleyan Chapel was erected in Station Road, and was affectionately known as the ‘Tin Tabernacle’, as it was an iron and wooden structure. The church was attended as a place of worship and a social centre for 35 years until the present church building was constructed in on the same site. The foundation of the Radlett Methodist Church was laid in 1937and the dedication took place in 1938. The building is simple but has a sense of elegance, particularly inside, being built to proportions and with brick pillars and side aisles reminiscent of Anglican churches of the Elizabethan era.
Congregational Church - later the United Reformed Church
In 1905, a group of Congregationalists who had settled in Radlett decided to form a church. With great foresight and faith a plot of land was purchased between Aldenham Avenue and Aldenham Road and there they built their first church. The church grew in strength and number and in the 1920’s, a new church was built in front of the old building to accommodate the expanding congregation. It was dedicated in 1929 and the previous church became the church hall. There was a great deal of support for this venture from the local residents, even those who were not members of the church. Regular worship within the Congregational denomination continued until 1972 when nationally Presbyterians and Congregationalists joined to form the United Reformed Church (URC) of England & Wales.
The formation of the Radlett United Free Church
In the late 1970’s, much thought, prayer, discussion and planning took place between the Radlett URC and the Radlett Methodist Church with a view to uniting. Congregation numbers had fallen in both churches and there was spare capacity in the two buildings. There was also a real sense that Christian witness would better be served by union, particularly between groups in a small community divided by no important doctrinal question, albeit coming from distinctive traditions. In May 1980 the two churches united and became the Radlett United Free Church, with retention of the Methodist Church building as the home of the new church.
The cache
The cache can be done as a 'cache and dash' but if so, please be aware of the parking restrictions in the area. Unrestricted parking is available further up the hill if necessary.
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For full information on how you can expand the Church Micro series by sadexploration please read the Place your own Church Micro page before you contact him at churchmicro.co.uk
See also the Church Micro Statistics and Home pages for further information about the series.
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