Front of the building, in 2008

Westgate Unitarian Chapel is a historic chapel in the city centre of Wakefield, in West Yorkshire, England.

The origins of the chapel lie in a group of supporters of Joshua Kirkby, who was ejected from Wakefield Parish Church, and a group of non-conformists in Alverthorpe. The two decided to build a joint Presbyterian chapel, just north of Westgate, halfway between their two settlements, which opened in 1697.[1]

Rear of the building, in 2011

In 1752 the chapel was replaced by the current building. Later in the century, the congregation joined the Unitarian movement.[2] It is built of brick, and is two storeys high and three bays long. It is in the Doric order, with a cupola. There are several Venetian windows on the ground floor. Inside the chapel is plain,[3] with a pulpit of 1737 moved from the former chapel, and an organ constructed in 1847.[2] Most of the woodwork dates from the late 19th century.[3] There are catacombs under the chapel, which are occasionally opened to the public.[4][5]

The chapel was Grade II* listed in 1971.[3]

References

  1. ↑ Goodchild, John. "350 Years Ago: The Act of Uniformity and some of its local repercussions". Wakefield Historical Society. Retrieved 27 November 2023.
  2. 1 2 "Westgate Chapel (Unitarian) Wakefield". UK Unitarians. Retrieved 27 November 2023.
  3. 1 2 3 Historic England. "Westgate Unitarian Chapel (1260218)". National Heritage List for England. Retrieved 27 November 2023.
  4. ↑ Mei Lan, Sophie (24 April 2023). "Inside Wakefield's secret underground tunnels - Westgate Unitarian Chapel's Catacombs". Yorkshire Post. Retrieved 27 November 2023.
  5. ↑ McKune, Kara (22 April 2023). "Tunnel into the unknown: Explore the eerie 18th Century Wakefield Catacombs hidden below the city's streets - on a spooky tour with volunteers". Wakefield Express. Retrieved 27 November 2023.
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