Fulwood Old Chapel facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Fulwood Old Chapel |
|
|---|---|
 |
|
| Religion | |
| Affiliation | Unitarian |
| Location | |
| Location | Fulwood, South Yorkshire, England |
| Architecture | |
| Architectural type | Chapel |
| Completed | 1729 |
| Construction cost | £75 |
| Materials | Stone |
| Website | |
| https://fulwoodoldchapel.uk | |
Fulwood Old Chapel is a special church in Fulwood, a part of Sheffield, England. It belongs to the Unitarian faith, which is a type of Christian belief. The chapel is part of a bigger group called the General Assembly of Unitarian and Free Christian Churches. This group helps Unitarian churches across Britain.
Contents
About Fulwood Old Chapel
Fulwood Old Chapel is a historic building. It has been a place of worship for nearly 300 years. It is important because it shows a long history of religious freedom in England.
Building History
This chapel was built a long time ago, between 1728 and 1729. It was made for a group called English Dissenters. These were people who did not agree with the main Church of England. They needed a special "meeting house" to worship freely.
Before the chapel was built, these Dissenters met at Fulwood Hall. A man named William Ronksley left money in his will for a new chapel. He wanted it to be "large and handsome." The building itself cost only £75, which was a lot of money back then!
Fulwood Old Chapel is one of the oldest religious buildings in its area. Only Beauchief Abbey is older in south or west Sheffield.
What the Chapel Looks Like
The chapel is a single-storey building. This means it has only one main floor. It is made from strong stone. The walls are about two feet thick, making the building very solid. The roof is made of stone slates.
The front of the chapel, facing the street, has four windows. There are also two doors. One door is between the first and second windows. The other is between the third and fourth windows. Above the two middle windows, you can see a stone tablet. It says, "Built 1729 in pursuance of the last Will of Mr W Roncksley." This tells everyone when and why the chapel was built.
Changes Over Time
Over the years, the chapel has had some changes. In 1754, a school room was added. This room was made bigger in 1968. It then included a kitchen and toilets. The school room was updated again in 2009. Today, it is used for a Sunday school and for social events.
In 1959, a small porch was added inside the main entrance. This helps to keep out bad weather.
Historic Status and Nearby Features
Today, Fulwood Old Chapel is a Grade II listed building. This means it is a very important historic building. It is protected by law.
There used to be a garden outside the chapel. But in 1929, the road was made wider. So, the garden had to be removed. At the same time, some old village stocks were moved. These stocks are from the early 1800s. They now sit in front of the chapel. The stocks are also a Grade II listed item, just like the chapel.
Famous Visitor
A famous person named Samuel Plimsoll is thought to have visited the chapel. He may have worshipped there in the 1860s. Samuel Plimsoll was known for creating the "Plimsoll line" on ships. This line shows how much a ship can be safely loaded. It is believed that his first daughter might be buried under the chapel's floor.
