Congregational Chapel, Nantwich facts for kids
The Congregational Chapel in Nantwich, Cheshire, England, was once a special church building. It was also known as the Independent Chapel. This chapel is on Monks Lane, which is now a path for people walking. It's near St Mary's Church, Nantwich. The chapel was built between 1841 and 1842. A famous architect named George Latham designed it. This building is so important that it is listed as a Grade II historical site. The chapel stopped being used as a church in the late 1900s. Now, the building has been changed into homes.
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The Chapel's Story
In the past, new kinds of preachers were not always welcome in Nantwich. For example, in 1753, John Wesley faced angry crowds. The same year, George Whitefield was met by people who tried to cause trouble.
Starting the Independent Church
A group called the Independents started in 1780. Captain Jonathan Scott helped create this group. He began preaching in a shop with Reverend William Armitage. Captain Scott was a very active preacher. He had left his army job to focus on his missionary work. He traveled around many parts of England and Wales. He helped start 22 Congregational churches.
In 1794, Captain Scott moved away but kept preaching in Nantwich. A local leader, Samuel Barrow, helped the church. He gave money to help set up a permanent minister in 1796. The first Independent chapel was built in 1801 on Church Lane. Captain Scott later moved back to Nantwich. He helped the chapel's ministers until he passed away in 1807.
Building a Bigger Chapel
The Independent church grew a lot between 1840 and 1851. This was when Reverend J. Simson was the minister. A much larger chapel was finished on Monks Lane in 1842. It cost about £2,200 to build. The old chapel building was then used as a Sunday School.
George Latham, a local architect, designed the new chapel. It was big enough for about 700 people to sit inside. In the 1850s, Nantwich had several other churches for different groups. These included a Methodist Church and a Primitive Methodist Chapel. After 1851, fewer people attended the Independent church.
Changes and Closing
In 1875, the chapel got an organ, which cost almost £400. In 1884, they decided to build a new Sunday School building. This new building was next to the chapel on Monks Lane. It was a large red-brick building with stone decorations. It was finished in 1903. In 1890, the inside of the chapel was redecorated. New seats were added, costing £350.
In the 1970s, the chapel had problems with dry rot. This is a type of fungus that damages wood. The chapel later closed down. The building was then changed into apartments, where people now live. The Sunday School building was also affected by dry rot. It was taken down in the 1970s.
What the Chapel Looks Like
The old Congregational Chapel is a two-story building. It is made of red brick with stone decorations. The front of the building has three main sections. The top part has a triangular shape called a pediment. This pediment is held up by large brick pilasters, which look like flat columns. The pediment has a stone plaque with the date written in Roman numerals.
There are two doorways at the front. They also have pilasters next to them. Above each doorway is a rectangular window called a fanlight and a decorative ledge called a cornice. These are supported by corbels, which are like brackets. Between the doorways, there is a central window. The upper floor has three windows. Each of these windows has a rounded top with a special stone decoration called a keystone. There is also a stone band, called a string course, running between the ground and first floors. Another cornice is at the same level as the pediment.
The side of the building has four sections. The windows on the side have stone sills. Their tops are rounded and highlighted with brick. The inside of the chapel used to have a circular balcony, but it has been changed now.
More to Explore
- Listed buildings in Nantwich
- List of churches in Cheshire
- List of works by George Latham
