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History
The first Independent Church, as it was then called, was erected on the site in 1662, re-established in 1762, enlarged in 1818, and pulled down in 1879.
During the time of the first church it is said that there were 188 members and 230 children. The population of Olney was no more 2,000 at that time.
The cornerstone of the present church was laid on Thursday May 2nd 1879 and opened to public worship on Tuesday June 8th 1880. At the time the church was known as the Congregational Chapel.
The cost of building the present church was £4,000, though this did not include the school rooms, which were added later.
The church was named the Cowper Memorial after one of the deacons read a brief history of the church from 1662. He said "It is 79 years since Cowper had left this mundane world to grace the higher and the eternal, to take the golden harp that is strung and tuned for endless years. Surely it is time that something was erected to his memory, something that was worthy of the man, worthy of the town, worthy of the nation and what better than a place of worship! What better than a Congregational Church."
On Tuesday September 17th 1965 the headline of the Bucks Standard read "Mystery blaze wrecks Olney church". The damage amounted to thousands of pounds. The roof, the organ, and the church bible were completely destroyed. To read this article click here. (Adobe reader required)
Unfortunately the church building was under-insured. It took many years, and an incredible fund raising effort, before the church was restored to its present glory with a different organ, no gallery and chairs instead of pews.
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