Unitarian Chapel

The Unitarian Chapel, now offices, was built between 1788 and 1791 by William Blackburn. It is a building of group value, recognised for its significant architectural and historical interest. Constructed from limestone ashlar, with rendered rubble sides, it has a hipped slate roof. The building is of three storeys and five bays, with a prominent central three-window section that projects forward from the lower flanking blocks. The central section features a rusticated ground floor, a plat band, flat sills, and impost bands. A semicircular portico with paired Ionic columns and pilasters forms the main entrance, approached by curved Pennant stone steps. Above the portico is a tall three-light window with two column mullions and capitals, with a large lunette containing decorative glazing bars. Rectangular windows are arranged symmetrically to the sides, with blind windows flanking the lunette. Similar tripartite windows are located to the rear.

The interior retains galleries on the sides and front, supported by cast-iron shafts, and a coffered ceiling suspended from the roof by chains and large foliate paterae. A curved, panelled screen defines the lobby area, and stone semicircular winder stairs are situated on either side of the entrance. Original fittings include a central, three-deck mahogany pulpit with ramped steps and panelled communion rail with turned balusters, along with box pews. Numerous 18th and 19th century memorial tablets adorn the walls. Originally built to accommodate 400 people, the chapel included stables, a coach house, a lecture room (added 1818), and schoolrooms (added 1826). In 1987, the building was converted to offices by Fielden Clegg architects. The building exhibits stop-chamfered spine beams with run-out stops.