🙌 Church Leadership at Dorking URC

We’re delighted to be part of the North Downs Surrey Pastorate, alongside Banstead URC, Redhill URC, and Reigate Park URC. Our minister, Revd Siobhán Antoniou, joined us in 2024, bringing with her a profound love for people and a passion for inclusive, creative ministry.

Siobhán is helping to nurture a church culture rooted in compassion, curiosity, and connection—where everyone is welcomed, valued, and encouraged to grow in faith and fellowship.

Leadership at DURC is a collaborative effort between the Minister and our team of Elders, who are nominated and elected by church members. Elders serve for three-year terms, with the option to be re-elected for one further term before taking a mandatory year’s break. This change helps keep leadership fresh, sustainable, and open to new voices.

We currently have twelve serving Elders, each bringing their own gifts and perspectives. Together, they help guide the life of the church, support pastoral care, and shape our vision for inclusive worship, outreach, and community connection.

Whether you’re new to DURC or have been part of our journey for years, we hope you’ll feel the warmth and welcome that flows from this shared leadership—and know that there’s always room for your voice here.

DURC aims to create a safe environment for its members and premises users, including children, young people and vulnerable adults.  You can see a copy of our Safeguarding Policy here.

🕰️ Our Story – A Church with Deep Roots

Dorking United Reformed Church has a rich and remarkable history that stretches far beyond the walls of our current building. Our story begins in 1662, during the reign of Charles II, when a group of faithful dissenters chose to follow their convictions and form a new kind of church community.

At that time, an Act of Parliament required all clergy to conform to the doctrines and practices of the Anglican Church. Those who couldn’t, including the founders of what would become Dorking Congregational Church, were ejected—and began gathering in homes to worship freely.

From 1662 to the 1690s, services were held in the homes of Reverend James Fisher in Fetcham and Reverend John Wood in North Chapel, Sussex. Then in 1695, under the leadership of Reverend Samuel Brookes, the congregation moved to a barn on Butter Hill, just opposite the Friends Meeting House.

As the church family grew, a dedicated building was erected on West Street in 1719, and later replaced by the beautiful structure we worship in today, built in 1834. Over the years, the building has seen many changes—but the heart of the church has remained the same: a community rooted in faith, welcome, and shared purpose.