Christchurch and Poole are ancient seaports and historic towns. Bournemouth situated between them was only discovered in the 19th century and developed as a fashionable sea side resort and healthy place in which to live.

Our first church here was established in 1856 and soon enlarged in 1891 as Bournemouth grew and grew. Richmond Hill soon attracted distinguished ministers like J D Jones, John Short, Trevor Davies and their preaching in the days when good preachers were more highly esteemed attracted people, not only from the whole of the United Kingdom, but from all round the world.

The International Congregational Council met in Bournemouth on July 1st-8th 1930, a sure sign that Bournemouth was really on the map, travelling from as far away as Canada, Australia, Africa, America and Japan - no mean feat in those days. All the ministers mentioned above were at one time, Chairmen of the Congregational Union of England and Wales. JD Jones was also its honorary Secretary. Bournemouth attracted many local businessmen, Beales, Bollam's, Bright's and Scotts. We were also indirectly a major influence in the politics of the Town. It was rumoured that many of the decisions in the Town Council were made in our vestry. Local businesses have flourished here and are now part of national and international companies.

Rev J D Jones
The confident days of nineteenth century nonconformity are shown in the grandeur of the building and in the possession of a prime site right opposite the Town Hall. We have seen the town of Bournemouth grow around us as an important commercial centre for the area. Offering seven miles of golden sands and the famous Pier which attracts holiday makers each year to the many excellent hotels. The church overlooks Bournemouth Town Centre and its beautiful gardens from the site on St Stephen's Road, Richmond Hill from which the church takes its name.

Today we are in a strong Town Centre Ecumenical Partnership. We combined with other churches for a Mission in 1995 and also for a major United Service at the Bournemouth International Centre to mark the new Millennium in January 2000. We contributed to the Millennium Candle in the Square. When all three political Parties come to Bournemouth for their Conferences, as they now do, we share with others in the leading of their opening prayers. Such local unity reflects the basic conviction of the United Reformed Church.

In 1972, Congregationalists and Presbyterians in England and Wales combined to form one Church. They were later joined by Churches of Christ. The hope was that this be only the start of wider unions. Progress is slow but evident. In all our activities from worship to marriage preparation we listen to what other churches are saying and doing. In some instances we have learned to respect our differing convictions. We are also more sensitive, we trust, to strengthening mutual undertanding with Jews and Muslims, a vital necessity in a town which is noted for its Jewish population and for a congregation which has the Islamic Centre as its nearest neighbour. In our prayers Sunday by Sunday we embrace the world.

United Reformed congregations belong to the largest Protestant groupings in the world. But our founding fathers and mothers intended originally to reform without dividing the one holy catholic Church of the ancient creeds. In the 16th century they failed in that attempt and that remains a tragedy of history. But today we are working on the same project, to unite and to reform, in order that the whole Church may better and more lovingly serve God's mission in the world in Jesus Christ, encouraged always by the Spirit.

We invite your interest, your comment and your help.