united reformed church - west moors

Location: 2, Moorlands Road, West Moors

History of the Church: Until the late 1800s West Moors was a tiny offshoot of West Parley but with the coming of the railway line which passed through the village en route between Salisbury and Wimborne (a junction for the Christchurch/Bournemouth line), the community grew rapidly.

West Moors congregational church was built in 1903 and occupies a prime site on the main station road. Between 1903 and 1978 a school room, vestry, kitchen and toilets were added and the church itself “turned round” and extended, but in the late 1970’s it was decided to modernise the whole building.

The main church building was extended again, a vestibule was added providing a new entrance and modern toilets (one “disabled” friendly), the pipe organ and the pews were replaced by chairs giving great flexibility of use.

Thanks to skilled local craftsman a new pulpit, communion table and stools, lectern, font and offertory plate were made from the old pews.

The building project was completed by the members of the congregation themselves as the builders went into liquidation. Known as St Martin’s West Moors the church reflects the Presbyterian influence in the URC although it was never a Presbyterian church itself.

In spite of its age, the church has a modern and welcoming atmosphere; coffee is provided after each service when people have the opportunity of meeting and chatting to each other.

The church celebrated its centenary in 2003 when the then Moderator of the General Assembly of the United Reformed Church, the Rev John Waller came to preach

Service Times:

Website: For more information please go to The United Reformed Church

Clergy:

2, Moorlands Road

West Moors, Ferndown

Dorset

BH22 0JN