In 1863 a group of local Anglicans became disillusioned with the ritualistic tendencies taking over in St Mary’s church in Teddington. Following fruitless negotiations with the relevant bishop about starting an evangelical congregation they determined to start an independent congregation, originally called a “Free English Church.” The first building was put up on what is now Church Road, and they called their first minister, John Sugden, an Irish Congregational minister.

The original indenture was fairly non-specific in detail, though the intention to be Protestant was made clear when they built a school nearby in 1866. By 1869 the railway had increased the size of Teddington, and the congregation needed a new home. A new building with 550 seats was built on land given to them in Station Road by Thomas Luxmore Wilson, a local solicitor. In 2013 the congregation moved out of the Victorian building of 1869, keeping it being financially impossible, and now have an excellent meeting hall on Christ Church Avenue, right behind the old building.

In 1869 the new building had brought about a new indenture which clarified the theological position of the congregation. In referring to the 1863 Deed Poll of the Free Church of England the 39 Articles and the 15 Articles of the Countess of Huntingdon’s Connexion were linked. Thus it was made clear that the congregation was to be soundly Protestant in theology and nature. It is of note that in the FCE 1863 Deed Poll ‘congregationalism’ is placed before both Presbyterianism and Episcopalianism. This was reflected in a set of Articles of Association adopted by the Trustees in 2015. Formal membership has been adopted, and currently (2022) the congregation is associated with the Evangelical Fellowship of Congregational Churches.

Despite the intrusion of the dead hand of Freemasonry into the congregation in the late 1870s it seems clear that the religious riots in Teddington, during the period 1910-1914, were the result of some of the congregation inviting “Kensit Men” to come to Teddington and protest against the High Church parades down the High Street by what was then St Mary’s with St Alban’s CofE congregation. For much of the 20th century the congregation occupied an open evangelical type position, not entirely in line with the intentions of those who founded it. It also gradually lost numbers of attenders, and although it is claimed there were 108 members in 1953 the books confirm a smaller attendance. In 1979 a significant number of people left the congregation, following a man who was keen on the charismatic movement. Rev Arthur Ward had not been prepared to countenance such teaching and practice within the congregation.

Although the congregation was inveigled into the errant Churches Together movement in the 1990s, since 2000 it has returned to the Protestant Reformed fold, and eschews such yoking of the unequal. The Gospel of repentance, and faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, is faithfully preached by those now responsible. Although the services are no longer BCP they remain liturgical, with both hymns and Psalms being sung, and the people joining together in shared worship and prayer each Lord’s Day.