Unitarian Chapel

1. 1260 FRIARS STREET

Unitarian Chapel TM 1644 SW 3/86 19.12.51. I

1. A very fine example of a C17 Meeting House. A congregation of Dissenters was first founded in 1672 and the present building was opened in 1700. It has much of its original work and the original interior fittings have been retained almost intact. A square planned building with plastered walls. 2 storeys, the upper storey windows light the gallery which runs round 3 sides of the interior, All sides have imposing fronts but the main entrance fronts are on the north and east sides. The north front has 3 window range, mullioned and transomed casements with leaded lattice lights and 2 8-panel double-doors with stucco moulded and shouldered architraves, panelled pilasters and modillioned pediments on enriched console brackets. On the 1st storey, above the doorways there are oval windows with spiders web leaded lights. The east side has a central doorway similar to those on the north side and 4 mullioned and transomed windows as on the north side. Originally it faced on to a courtyard approached by a passage way from St Nicholas Street. The south side has 6 window range, 4 with semi-circular arched heads and oval windows above, as on the north front. The west front has 4 window range mullioned and transomed windows with leaded lattice lights. Roof tiled, double pitched. The interior has a panelled gallery on 3 sides, original box pews, a fine carved 3 decker pulpit (reputed to be carved by Grinling Gibbons), and a brass chandelier.

Listing NGR: TM1618744378