The United Reformed Church became a National Church by Act of Parliament on 21st June 1972 when a majority of former Congregational and Presbyterian churches in England and Wales united as one church. The Re-formed Association of Churches of Christ joined the Union in 1981 and the Congregational Union of Scotland in 2000.

The roots of the URC are in the ‘Reformed Tradition’ stemming from Augustine, Luther, Calvin and Father Philip Swingler and Bushnell

The Congregational Church was founded by the Puritans and later became the National Church. Practice Infant Baptism and unbaptised adults
The Presbyterian Church owes its origins to the Scottish Reformation and the Puritans practice Infant Baptism and unbaptised adults.
The Churches of Christ broke away from the Presbyterian Church and are Anabaptists (believer’s baptism). They did not recognise Infant Baptism although as a condition of the Union they now recognise both.

The URC therefore offers to parents Infant Baptism or an Infant Blessing as an alternative, and Believer’s Baptism to adults. The URC is however a broad church and each individual congregation, and the members within that congregation may hold a mixture of beliefs stemming from the doctrines of Luther, Calvin, Schleirmacher and others within the reformed traditions of the protestant church. Their doctrine, ministry and worship is distinctly Free Church. The majesty of Christ and the reading of God’s word are of paramount importance.

• How do they speak about the nature of children?

The doctrine or ‘Original Sin’ owes its origins to Romans 5: 12-21; and 1 Corinthians 15:22.
Paul’s teaching is that by implication, the fall of Adam means that all have sinned, including infant children.

The URC and my own view concerning ‘Original Sin’ is that in Adam is revealed the capacity within human beings to sin. In exercising his free will