Saint Columba URC is located in Hunts Cross, Liverpool and is fairly close to Liverpool John Lennon Airport. It is a fairly modern church by some standards and its history dates back to 1942 when a group of people gathered in a garden shed in a house called ‘Brentwood’ to worship together. They worshiped as Presbyterians and the foundations of the congregation and indeed the church began.

Below is a brief chronological history of St. Columba URC Liverpool.

In 1943, the newly formed congregation moved out of the garden shed and moved into a chicken coop that was larger than the original shed. They stayed worshiping in the henhouse until 1949.

In 1944 the Rev. Edward Charles Lane was appointed minister and the current site of the church was purchased at the junction of Hillfoot Road and Hillfoot Avenue. However, the church as we know it today could not begin to be built due to the restrictions of the war.

In 1947, with the end of the war and rationing, a license was granted to build a semi-permanent church building.

On June 18, 1949 a new semi-permanent church was opened at Hunts Cross and was called Santa Columba.

In 1951 the Rev. Charles Henry Shaw BA was appointed minister of the new church of St. Columba.

In 1952, the St. Columba Congregation celebrated its 10th anniversary.

In 1953, the general secretary authorized St. Columbia for the solemnization of marriages. The first wedding took place on March 7, 1953.

In 1955, the 28th Allerton Scout Group was formed in St. Columbia.

In 1956, the Reverend John Brown was appointed minister.

In 1958 the 401st Guide Company was formed in St. Columba.

In 1963, workers moved to the site to begin building a ‘New Church’.

In 1964 the current building of St. Columba’s Church in Hunts Cross was completed and a new minister was appointed in Rev. Frank Glendinning.

In 1967, the congregation celebrated the 25th anniversary of its founding in Brentwood.

In 1967 the 401st Liverpool Brownie Pack was formed at St. Columba’s.

In 1970, Club 25 was formed as a lunch club for seniors from the local community under the chairmanship of Ms. Eileen Blakeley.

In 1972, the Presbyterian Church of England and the Congregational Church of England and Wales agree to unite and form the United Reformed Church.

In 1972 the United Reformed Church of St. Columba was formed.

In 1976 the Rev. John Barry Hawksworth was appointed the new minister of Saint Columba URC Liverpool.

In 1978 the Santa Columba Squads were formed which were a majorette dance group. The company cared for girls between the ages of 4 and 24. Squadrons were named after St. Columba not only throughout the UK but in Europe as well. The Saint Columba squadronettes won many competitions during the time they competed culminating in victory at the European Majorette Championship in Spain and the World Majorette Championship on the Isle of Man.

In 1980, the ’25 club’ celebrated its 10th anniversary.

In 1981 W. Herbert Elliot was appointed Acting Moderator of St. Columba URC.

In 1982 the Rev. W. Herbert Elliot was appointed Minister of the URC of St. Columba.

In 1993 the Rev. Heather Marjorie Gabbott was appointed Minister.

In 1998, on February 21, the new Church Hall named ‘Brentwood’ after the original congregation meeting place was completed and inaugurated by the moderator of the URC Mersey synod, the Rev. G. Cook.

In 2002 Saint Columba URC celebrates its Diamond Jubilee

In 2008 Rev. Alan Crump was appointed Minister of Saint Columba URC Liverpool.

Timeline of St. Columba URC Ministers

1943-1944 Laurence J Farmer (Acting Moderator)

1944 – 1950 Eddie C. Lane

1951-1955 Charles H. Shaw

1956 – 1964 John Brown B. Mus

1964-1975 Frank Glendinning

1976 – 1981 J. Barry Hawksworth

1981 – 1982 W. Herbert Elliot (Acting Moderator)

1982 – 1983 W. Herbert Elliot (Minister)

1993-2003 Heather Marjorie Gabbott

2003-2008 vacant

2008 – present Alan Crump