Dean Row Chapel, Wilmslow

Dean Row Chapel is a Unitarian place of worship in Cheshire, North West England. It is located 2 miles (3 km) east of the town of Wilmslow, Cheshire, near the junction of the A5102 and B5358 roads. The structure is recorded in the National Heritage List for England as a designated Grade II* listed building.[1] The congregation is a member of the General Assembly of Unitarian and Free Christian Churches, the umbrella organisation for British Unitarians.[2]

Dean Row Chapel, Wilmslow
Dean Row Chapel
Dean Row Chapel, Wilmslow
Location in Cheshire
OS grid referenceSJ 871 815
LocationWilmslow, Cheshire
CountryEngland
DenominationUnitarian
WebsiteDean Row Chapel
Architecture
Functional statusActive
Heritage designationGrade II*
Designated30 March 1951
Architectural typeChapel
Groundbreaking1695
Specifications
MaterialsRed brick with sandstone dressings
Kerridge slate roof with stone ridge
Clergy
Minister(s)Rev Jeffrey Lane Gould

History

The chapel was built around the end of the 17th century soon after the passing of the Act of Toleration 1689. By 1843 it had become a ruin. It was restored but during the process many of the internal fittings and furniture were lost. The chapel was rededicated on 23 April 1845.[3] A further restoration took place in 1971.[1] Initially Presbyterian, it later became Unitarian[1] and continues in use as a Unitarian chapel.[2]

Architecture

Exterior

The chapel is built in red brick with sandstone dressings and is in two storeys. The roof is of Kerridge slates with a stone ridge. The eastern gable is surmounted by a stone ball and the western gable has a bellcote with a single bell, and a stone ball on its top. Two external staircases lead to the upper storeys and under each staircase is a porch providing an entrance to the lower storey. At the lower level are four two-light chamfered stone mullioned windows, and at the upper level six similar windows. In the centre of the wall are bronze war memorial plaques.[1]

Interior

At each end are galleries with the organ occupying the east gallery. The altar table is at the east end and is enclosed by a curved rail. Also at the east end is the three-level pulpit which was formerly on the north side. At the west end is a board containing the names of the past ministers.[1]

External features

In the graveyard is a sundial with three dials dating from 1871, which was restored for the 2000 millennium.[4]

Religious life

Two nearby Unitarian congregations are Chowbent Chapel and Cross Street Chapel.

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See also

References
  1. Historic England, "Dean Row Unitarian Chapel, Wilmslow (1222055)", National Heritage List for England, retrieved 12 July 2013
  2. Find a Congregation: Dean Row, The General Assembly of Unitarian and Free Christian Churches (Great Britain), archived from the original on 20 July 2011, retrieved 23 January 2011
  3. Richards, Raymond (1947), Old Cheshire Churches, London: Batsford, pp. 381–383, OCLC 719918
  4. Thornber, Craig (26 June 2005), Cheshire Antiquities: Dean Row Chapel, retrieved 23 October 2007
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