OUR HISTORY
The church is situated on a site developed during the Roman occupation.
Joseph Reynolds first held open-air Methodist services at Castle End in 1820. A cottage on the St Peter’s Street end of the present site was later acquired by the Primitive Methodists. This was adapted as a chapel and the building enlarged by cutting through the floor, creating a gallery.
The first chapel was built in 1823. The church building appears to have been rebuilt in about 1841 and again in 1863. Foundations from the 1863 chapel form part of the foundations of our present building and the 1863 foundation stone is set in the wall of the Aldersgate Room.
The current building, which was designed by Augustus Scott, has Grade II Listed status and was built in 1914 when it was felt that a larger chapel was needed. The building underwent major refurbishment in 2010 to improve our accessibility and facilities.
The church building has two sections, joined by a glass fronted entrance. The worship area can seat about 120 people and houses the Binns pipe organ. The organ was built by James Jepson Binns of Leeds. It was installed in 1929 and was one of the last organs built by JJ Binns before his death that year.
Methodist Connexions
Castle Street is part of the Cambridge Circuit (www.cambridgemethodist.org.uk) which is part of the East Anglia District (www.eangliamethodist.org.uk) which belongs to the Methodist Church of Great Britain (www.methodist.org.uk).
Regular Activities
Coffee mornings
All are welcome to our community coffee mornings, which are held on Wednesday morning from 10:30am-12pm. Donations for the filter coffee, tea, cakes are welcomed to support various charities.
Strength and Balance
Forever Active, run our weekly Strength and Balance for the over 60s ever Wednesday right after our coffee morning 12-1pm. Each session costs £3 and all abilities and agilities are welcome.
Read more about Castle Street
What's so special about Castle Street?
I’m a life long Methodist which has been a useful source of comfort as I, and my wife, have put down temporary roots over much of the country. Castle Street values Christian outreach as a means of sharing God’s grace which is available to all who seek it.
Castle Street was the Church community I needed at a difficult time in my life and I didn’t know I needed them until I found them. I found complete acceptance for who I am with no expectations on me to conform to anything but was celebrated for being me. It helped build me up and I’m in such a better place.
Castle Street MC is a smashing place because it genuinely tries to be an inclusive, welcoming, non-judgemental fellowship which lacks pomposity and any hint of status.
It may occupy a Grade II listed building but it isn’t precious about bricks and mortar; it wants to share its facilities with the local, gathered community which it serves.