Taunton Unitarian Chapel
Unitarian Chapel | ||
---|---|---|
Style Italianate | | |
Listed Building – Grade II* | ||
Official name | Unitarian Chapel | |
Designated | 4 June 1952 | |
Reference no. | 1060009 |
Taunton Unitarian Chapel is on Mary Street, Taunton, Somerset, England. It was built in the early 18th century as a Baptist chapel, but later adopted Unitarianism. The exterior was extensively renovated in the 19th century in an Italianate style. The chapel has been designated as a Grade II* listed building.
Despite suffering significant persecution from their peers and the state, Baptists erected their first chapel in Taunton in 1670, on or near the current site. This was replaced in 1712 with the building that still stands today. During the 18th century, probably during the ministry of Joseph Jeffries, the chapel's form of worship became Unitarian, although this was forbidden by Parliament until 1813. The
In the early 21st century a range of structural and decorative restoration works were carried out on the building, which continues to serve the Taunton congregation, who meet for services twice a month at the chapel.
History
Baptist Meeting House
After the
The 1672
By 1721, the Baptist community in Taunton had grown large, and reasonably affluent. They built a new chapel, funded entirely by the congregation, very near to the site of the original Meeting House.[6] The pastor of the church at the time was Joseph Jeffries, and during his ministry the church transitioned from a Baptist church to Unitarianism.[4]
Unitarian Chapel
In his history of Taunton, Joshua Toulmin suggested that the church adopted Unitarian worship in 1722. This form of worship remained outlawed, as the Act of Toleration did not extend to nontrinitarianism. Unitarianism believed in the "One God and Father of all", rather than the Trinity of God as three consubstantial persons.[7] Writing a series on "Baptists in Taunton" for the Taunton Courier, H. J. Channon disagreed, placing the change in 1733.[4] Both agreed that the zeal with which Jeffries preached helped to swell his congregation,[4][7] although a history of the Baptist church in Wellington notes that Jeffries was obstructive regarding a Baptist church being built in that town.[1] Toulmin himself served as the pastor of the chapel from 1764 until 1803, during which time he "experienced unremitted insult and misrepresentation." At one time, an effigy was burned at his door, and it was said that Toulmin could have suffered the same fate, but for assistance from his friends.[6] During Toulmin's ministry, the poet Samuel Taylor Coleridge occasionally preached at the chapel while staying at Coleridge Cottage in Nether Stowey.[8] In a letter, Coleridge wrote, "I walked into Taunton (eleven miles) and back again, and performed the divine services for Dr. Toulmin."[9] The Doctrine of the Trinity Act 1813 legalised Unitarian worship.[10]
In 1814, a
The chapel was the subject of one of Sir John Betjemans 'Meeting Point: ABC of Churches' programs in the mid 60's. He showed great enthusiasm for the buildings history and architecture.
The building underwent a series of repairs and redecoration, carried out by the Steel Coleman Davis Partnership in the early 21st century. These included a significant structural repair, as the main supporting roof truss was badly damaged. The frontage was also upgraded to withstand the weathering effects of being north-facing, and the damage caused by being so close to the road.[12] Services continue to be held at the Unitarian Chapel, and as of March 2015, are held twice a month, on the first and third Sundays of each month.[15]
Architecture
The Unitarian Chapel retains much of its original interior, including square
References
- ^ a b c Gosden, Denis J. (1983). The Baptist Story (PDF). Wellington: South Street Baptist Church. pp. 3–4. Retrieved 3 March 2015.
- ^ "Taunton: 1660–1690". The History of Parliament Trust. Retrieved 3 March 2015.
- ^ "Baptists in Taunton". Taunton Courier, and Western Advertiser. 7 September 1946. p. 2. Retrieved 3 March 2015 – via British Newspaper Archive.
- ^ a b c d "Baptists in Taunton". Taunton Courier, and Western Advertiser. 21 September 1946. p. 2. Retrieved 3 March 2015 – via British Newspaper Archive.
- ^ "Baptists in Taunton". Taunton Courier, and Western Advertiser. 14 September 1946. p. 2. Retrieved 3 March 2015 – via British Newspaper Archive.
- ^ a b c d Murch, Jerom (1835). A History of the Presbyterian and General Baptist Churches in the West of England. London: R Hunter. pp. 192–210.
- ^ OCLC 751836236.
- ^ a b c d "History". Taunton Unitarian Chapel. Retrieved 4 March 2015.
- ISBN 978-3-7368-0918-5. Retrieved 5 March 2015.
- ISBN 9780199590254.
- ^ "Taunton News". Taunton Courier. 22 June 1881. p. 5. Retrieved 8 March 2015.
- ^ a b "Unitarian Chapel. Taunton, Somerset". Steel Coleman Davis Partnership. Retrieved 8 March 2015.
- ^ a b "Mary-street (Taunton) Memorial Schools". Taunton Courier. 6 October 1886. p. 6. Retrieved 7 March 2015 – via British Newspaper Archive.
- ^ "Schools Re-organisation". Taunton Courier. 12 April 1933. p. 6. Retrieved 7 March 2015 – via British Newspaper Archive.
- ^ "Services". Taunton Unitarian Chapel. Retrieved 7 March 2015.
- ^ ISBN 978-0-14-071014-4.
- ^ Historic England. "Unitarian Chapel (1060009)". National Heritage List for England. Retrieved 4 April 2015.