Quinta Cong

Twice now I have passed and briefly inspected the Quinta Congregational Chapel in Shropshire, albeit from without. On the last occasion, in the autumn, I arranged to meet the minister, Dr James, who sold me seventy pounds’ worth of books on the Welsh Revival and puritanism (he is also in the business of republishing very fine Christian books).

Built in 1858, in a gothic style, which is something I generally regret in dissenting chapels, it does appear attractive, the little spire adding a touch of finesse. I understand it was part of the United Reformed Church in 1972 but left at the end of the seventies, which probably accounts for its still being open for worship. Its website describes it as

‘...non-ecumenical, non-Anglican, non-Roman Catholic, non-Greek Orthodox, non-sacramentarian, and Trinitarian...non-charismatic.’

It adds:

This may seem odd to some who think that an evangelical church must be charismatic, but the Church holds to those beliefs identified as evangelical long before the charismatic movement appeared on the scene.

Seeing as the word ‘evangelical’ is now almost meaningless (one 'evangelical' church in Keighley now supports same-sex marriage!), knowing what we are not is as important as knowing what we are.

A  D