Welcome
Downing Place URC. Committed to building up people in faith and in following Christ, we are an open and inclusive church in the centre of Cambridge. We strive to be a community that reflects God’s radical love, welcoming to all.
Our worship is marked by a sense of reverence and of joy, drawing on the riches of the Reformed tradition of liturgy and preaching, with a special appreciation of music. We foster an intelligent and non-judgmental environment for exploring faith, seeking to live out this faith in a commitment to social justice.
Worship at Downing Place
Our main Sunday service is usually held at 11am. Holy Communion is celebrated on the first Sunday of each month; and on other special occasions in the Church’s calendar.
Services are open to those who wish to worship in person but are also live-streamed via our Youtube channel. You are welcome to join us in whichever way is most comfortable for you. You can find out about the other ways we are worshipping together via our Worship page.
Everyone is welcome to gather in worship, whether you are a regular church goer or have never attended a service of worship before; or anything in between! If you are new to church or Downing Place URC specifically, we have a First Time in Church page to browse which will hopefully explain a few things and help you feel more at home.
Our service on Sunday 19 March was led by the Reverend Diane Kenaston. To watch the recording of this service, plase click on the video above.
Events at Downing Place URC
Lent House Groups
Image courtesy of servicioskoinonia.org/cerezo
Our Lent House Groups are on the theme of Jesus’ Parables, and will be led by the Reverend John Proctor.
The series will begin with a plenary session in the Sanctuary at Downing Place URC: ‘Stories of life – Approaching the Parables‘, and will then continue with sessions available in person on Mondays, or on Zoom on Tuesdays.
Week 1: Monday 20 February, 2.30pm in the church.
Weeks 2 – 5: Mondays 27 February – 27 March, at the church and Tuesdays 28 February to 28 March on Zoom
These dates allow for six meetings, and five are planned. One meeting in March will be missed, at a date to be agreed in good time.
The booklets for each session are available by clicking below. Please contact us if you would like more details, or are unable to attend Week 1, as there will be a recording made which you can request a link to, to watch in your own time.
Open Table Cambridge
Downing Place United Reformed Church is the home of Open Table Cambridge and we hold regular Open Table services and social events, which are particularly inclusive of LGBTQ+ people but are open to all who are allies. There is a social gathering around the beginning of each month; and a service of Holy Communion on the third Sunday of each month at 7.30pm.
You can find out more about our inclusive work with LGBTQ+ here, and watch our service for LGBT History Month by clicking on the video.
The Open Table Network (OTN) is a growing partnership of Christian worship communities which welcome and affirm people who are: Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans, Queer or Questioning, Intersex, & Asexual (LGBTQIA) together with their families, friends & anyone who wants to belong in an accepting, loving community.
2022 Lunchtime Concert Series
We run a free Lunchtime Concert series every Wednesday at 1pm, throughout most of the year. Details of the next few concerts can be seen below – click each image to find out more! Details of all our 2022 concerts can be found on our Lunchtime Concerts page. We take a retiring collection for Downing Place’s monthly charity, details of which are given in the programme each week.
Concerts last around 50 minutes; and our doors open at around 12.30pm. There are refreshments available in our Hub area (through the courtyard on Downing Place) before and after concerts, between 10am and 4pm every Wednesday – please drop in for coffee and biscuits, you will be most welcome!
Cambridge Chamber Ensemble
Wednesday 15 March 2023 at 1pm
Darrell Smith (bass) & Anne Applin (piano)
Wednesday 22 March 2023 at 1pm
The Himley Duo
Wednesday 29 March 2023 at 1pm
Upcoming events
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Hire Downing Place
Downing Place URC’s building provides a range of fully equipped, state of the art rooms and spaces for hire.
If you are interested in hiring the premises then please contact us on 01223 756635, email us or visit us between 9 and 5 Monday to Friday
The building is be fully accessible to wheelchair users, with lifts, ramps and accessible toilet facilities.
See our Hirings page for more information.
Request a booking
01223 756635
Address
Downing Street,
Cambridge
CB2 3EL
Registered Charity Number
1131462
Downing Place URC
Downing Place is a community of people who seek to take God seriously through worship, study and service that are responses to the living, dying and rising of Jesus Christ and rooted in his teaching.
