Unitarian Chapel And Chapel Cottage

The Unitarian Chapel and Chapel Cottage in Belper has been a place of worship since 1689. The current building, believed to have been constructed in 1788, though some sources suggest 1782, was built by Jedediah Strutt, who included a private entrance and approach road. The chapel is made of ashlar stone and features a hipped slate roof, standing two storeys tall. The facade facing Field Row has a round arched entrance with a keystone, and an external cantilevered stone staircase leads to a six-panelled door with a quoined surround, providing access at first floor level. The facade facing Short Row includes a two-storey gabled porch and three round arched windows, with an additional window on the eastern section. Inside, the chapel retains its original tiered boxed-in pews, under which is an arched catacomb, where it is thought that Jedediah Strutt is buried. Chapel Cottage is located partly beneath the choir seating.