History

New Life Church and Crondall

New Life Church (Borough Christian Fellowship 1950s)
The building where New Life Church worships has been in Crondall for many years and has been used as a place of worship since the late 1800’s. Most recently it was what is called an Evangelical Church (Borough Christian Fellowship) and this reflected the character and beliefs of the people who met and worshipped here. In 2000 around 40 people of mainly Baptist background came to Crondall from the Fleet and Church Crookham area to re-vitalise the work. We were looking for a place to worship and serve and believe God led us here.

As this was a new beginning for us and the existing people of the Evangelical Church, we decided we should mark this with a new name. We were looking for a name that made a statement about our work here. We wanted a name that reflected, in the same way ‘Evangelical’ did, our character and beliefs. After much prayer and deliberation we decided on New Life Church. We believe this makes a statement about a fresh start for the church, but more importantly the name tells of the wonderful thing that we find in and through the Lord Jesus, that he gives us New Life. It is our prayerful aim that all we do and think and say reflects this new life which God has given us through his Son.

The village of Crondall itself has a venerable history which goes back at least a thousand years, being mentioned in the Doomsday book, and has reputedly been visited by historical characters such as Oliver Cromwell. The village is close to the old town of Farnham in a region often referred to as the Surrey Hampshire Borders. It’s setting is in rolling hills with a rich agricultural history. Crondall has also been known for manufacturing industries associated with the production of osier, used in basket weaving for hot-air balloons at Farnborough airfield, and the village has produced hops which have been used in the production of local beers. There are many beautiful old buildings in Crondall, including All Saints Church, a 12th century Norman parish church that was erected in place of an earlier Saxon church, and examples of the Tudor period such as the ‘Plume of Feathers’ pub which is situated in the village centre, opposite New Life Church.