Find an independent church
Search near you or in a specific town.
A word about the label
"Non-denominational" is an American coinage that has drifted across the Atlantic through worship music and online sermons. British Christians have older words for the same idea. A free church historically meant any church free of the established Church of England; an independent church is one that governs itself and answers to no denominational headquarters. You will also meet community church, evangelical church and fellowship on signboards up and down the country. The common thread is that the local congregation is self-governing: it calls its own leaders, owns or rents its own building and sets its own direction.
The main families of independent church in Britain
FIEC churches
The Fellowship of Independent Evangelical Churches links several hundred self-governing congregations across Great Britain. It is not a denomination: it owns no buildings and appoints no ministers. Member churches share a doctrinal basis, practical resources and training while remaining fully independent. FIEC churches tend to be Bible-centred, with sermons at the heart of the service, and range from small chapels to sizeable town-centre congregations.
Newer church streams
Out of the house church movement of the 1970s grew what historians call the new churches: networks such as Newfrontiers, Pioneer and Ichthus, alongside Vineyard churches that arrived from abroad. These combine independence at local level with warm relationships across the network, and they lean charismatic, expecting the gifts of the Holy Spirit in ordinary church life. Many of Britain's liveliest larger churches sit in this stream.
Community churches and single congregations
Thousands of British churches belong to no network at all: a single congregation meeting in its own building, a school hall or a converted cinema. Some are historic independent chapels; others were planted within living memory. Their character varies enormously, which makes a visit, and a look at the "what we believe" page, all the more worthwhile.
What they have in common
- Evangelical conviction. The great majority hold classic evangelical beliefs: the authority of the Bible, personal faith in Christ, and the importance of sharing that faith.
- Believer's baptism. Most baptise people on profession of faith rather than as infants, typically by immersion.
- Informal services. Expect band-led sung worship, a substantial sermon, and no set liturgy or robes.
- Local leadership. Elders or a leadership team drawn from the congregation govern the church, sometimes with a paid pastor, sometimes without.
- Everyday buildings. Independent churches meet anywhere: Victorian chapels, business parks, schools and front rooms. The building tells you little about the size or health of the church.
Strengths and questions to ask
Independence brings real strengths: decisions are made locally, ministries can start quickly, and the church's money stays close to home. It also removes the external accountability a denomination provides. A wise visitor asks how the church is governed, whether the leaders answer to anyone beyond themselves, and whether it belongs to a wider body such as the Evangelical Alliance. A healthy independent church will answer cheerfully; hesitation is worth noticing.
It is also fair to say that independence is not isolation. Most independent churches cooperate locally with Anglican, Baptist and Pentecostal neighbours in food banks, youth work and joint services, and think of themselves as one part of the wider body of Christ in their town.
How to find one near you
- Search our directory for your town and look for names containing "community church", "evangelical church" or "fellowship".
- Check the FIEC and Evangelical Alliance directories for affiliated congregations.
- Read the church's statement of faith and leadership page before visiting; independents vary more than denominational churches, so five minutes of reading pays off.
- Visit on a Sunday. Independent churches are usually quick to welcome newcomers, and most run a newcomers' lunch or course.
Frequently asked questions
Are independent churches the same as house churches?
They overlap historically. The house church movement of the 1970s began in living rooms and grew into today's new church networks, most of which now meet in public buildings. A few congregations still meet in homes by conviction.
Is an independent church less "proper" than the Church of England?
No. England has had thriving churches outside the established church since the seventeenth century; the independents stand in a long tradition that includes Bunyan and Spurgeon. Different structure, same faith.