History of the Berkshire, South Bucks and South Oxon Congregational Churches, by W. H. Summers, published by W. J. Blackett, 1905.

ARBORFIELD

It appears from a notice in the ‘Congregational Magazine’ for 1841 that a small Congregational cause existed on this village at that date, under the care of a Mr. W. Breach, but I have found no further trace of its history.

In a series of village missions, held in 1896 under the auspices of the Reading Free Churches Federation, Arborfield Cross was one of the places visited. Shortly after the mission, the Federation received a memorial, signed by over seventy villagers, representing that there was no accommodation for Free Church worship within three miles, and asking if the Federation could meet the wants. As services had previously been carried on in the open air, in connection with Broad Street church, by members of its Christian Endeavour Society, that church was requested by the Federation to undertake the work.

The request was acceded to, and a timber-built chapel, which had been used for private services in a neighbouring village, was purchased and re-erected at Arborfield, at a cost of £380. It was opened on the Bank Holiday in August 1899, when a service was preached by the Rev. Dr. Glover, of Bristol. Several members of the federation, representing various sections of the Free Churches, contributed liberally to its funds, and the services are attended by worshippers of several denominations.