General Assembly of Unitarian and Free Christian Churches facts for kids
Quick facts for kids General Assembly of Unitarian and Free Christian Churches |
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The official logo of the GAUFCC, based upon the flaming chalice motif
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| Abbreviation | GAUFCC |
| Classification | Nontrinitarian, Protestant |
| Orientation | Unitarianism, Free Christian, Liberal religion |
| Associations | International Council of Unitarians and Universalists, European Liberal Protestant Network |
| Region | United Kingdom |
| Headquarters | Essex Hall in central London, United Kingdom |
| Origin | 1928 |
| Congregations | 170 |
The General Assembly of Unitarian and Free Christian Churches (often called GAUFCC or simply British Unitarians) is a group that brings together Unitarian, Free Christian, and other liberal religious churches in the United Kingdom and Ireland. It started in 1928. However, its roots go way back to 1662. Its main office, called Essex Hall, is in central London. This spot was home to the first Unitarian church in England, which opened in 1774.
The GAUFCC brought together many different types of beliefs. These included Unitarianism, English Presbyterianism, General Baptist, Methodism, Liberal Christianity, Christian Universalism, Religious Humanism, and Unitarian Universalism. Today, Unitarians welcome people with many different beliefs. Some members might describe themselves as Buddhists, Pagans, or Jewish. Many others are humanists, agnostics, or atheists.
Contents
A Look Back: History
Early Beginnings
Historians say that ideas like not believing in the Trinity have been around for a very long time. These ideas were part of a "lower-class heretical culture" that became more open in the 1500s. People in this group often opposed the power of the Church. They also focused a lot on studying the Bible.
After the king returned to power in England in 1660, a law called the Act of Uniformity 1662 was passed. This law caused about 2,000 ministers to leave the official Church of England. This event is known as the Great Ejection. After another law, the Act of Toleration 1689, many of these ministers preached in churches that did not follow the official Church rules. These were called non-conforming churches. The modern Unitarian group started from these English Presbyterians. Later, in the late 1700s, General Baptist churches also joined this group.
The 1800s
For a long time, it was against the law to disagree with the idea of the Trinity. This changed in 1813 with the Unitarian Relief Act. By 1825, a new group called the British and Foreign Unitarian Association was formed. This group helped organize activities for the Unitarian churches.
However, there was a challenge in 1837. The Presbyterian/Unitarian members had to leave a larger group of Protestant ministers. This group had represented different non-conformist churches in London for over a century.
Around this time, there was a debate among Unitarians. Some wondered how much the group should use the name 'Unitarian'. James Martineau, a minister, wanted a "warmer" religion. He felt the Unitarianism of his time was too "cold." In 1881, he helped start a new conference. It had a very long name, showing how many different groups it wanted to include.
So, from 1881 until the GAUFCC was formed, there were two main groups. One group liked the 'Unitarian' name and wanted more organization. The other group preferred not to use labels and wanted to be more open to different ideas. Each side even had its own college and newspaper.
How it Works Today
By 1928, these two groups came together to form the GAUFCC. Over time, the organization has become even more open to different beliefs and ideas. Some members are "Free Christians" who want to stay connected to the wider Christian Church. Others want to explore ideas beyond Christianity.
The churches that are part of the GAUFCC have members with many different views. Unitarians are encouraged to learn from all the world's religions, philosophies, arts, and modern sciences. The Unitarian Church does not follow one strict set of rules. Because of this, most other Protestant and Catholic churches do not recognize the baptisms or marriages performed by Unitarians.
The official name, General Assembly of Unitarian and Free Christian Churches, is used for formal events. But usually, the organization and its members simply call themselves Unitarian. Their website is unitarian.org.uk. The Unitarian denomination also supports same-sex marriage.
Member Churches
Many Unitarian churches are important buildings because of their architecture. They are often listed buildings, meaning they are protected for their historical value. Some are built in a style called Dissenting Gothic. Other churches are important because famous people were members or ministers there.
Current Churches
The General Assembly includes about 182 churches. Here are some of them:
- Billingshurst Unitarian Chapel, built in 1754, in West Sussex
- Brighton Unitarian Church, built in 1820
- Brixton Unitarian Church
- Brook Street Chapel, Knutsford, Cheshire
- Brookfield Unitarian Church, Gorton, Manchester
- Bury Unitarian Church, in Bury, Greater Manchester
- Chowbent Chapel, in Atherton, Greater Manchester
- Cross Street Chapel, Manchester
- Cambridge Unitarian Church (Memorial Church), Cambridgeshire
- Croydon Unitarian Church
- Dean Row Chapel, Wilmslow, Cheshire
- Essex Church, the first Unitarian church in England, moved to Kensington in the 1880s
- Frenchay Chapel, Frenchay Common, Frenchay Bristol
- Fulwood Old Chapel, in Sheffield
- Gellionnen Chapel, near Swansea
- Great Meeting Unitarian Chapel, Leicester
- Hastings Unitarian Church
- Horsham Unitarian Church
- Kendal Unitarian Chapel, Cumbria
- King Edward Street Chapel, Macclesfield, Cheshire
- Meadrow Unitarian Chapel, Godalming
- Mill Hill Chapel, on Leeds City Square
- New Chapel, Denton
- Unitarian Meeting House, Newcastle-under-Lyme, Staffordshire
- Newington Green Unitarian Church, North London
- Norcliffe Chapel, Styal, Cheshire
- Nottage General Baptist & Unitarian Church near Porthcawl
- Octagon Chapel, Norwich
- Richmond and Putney Unitarian Church
- Rivington Unitarian Chapel, in Lancashire
- Rosslyn Hill Unitarian Chapel, Hampstead, North London; one of the biggest churches
- Shrewsbury Unitarian Church
- Taunton Unitarian Chapel
- Todmorden Unitarian Church, in West Yorkshire
- Toxteth Unitarian Chapel, in Liverpool
- UMB (Unitarian Meeting Bristol) Brunswick Square, Cabot Circus, Bristol City Centre, Bristol
- Underbank Chapel, Sheffield
- Ullet Road Unitarian Church, Liverpool
- Unitarian Meeting House, Ipswich
- Upper Chapel, Sheffield
- Westgate Unitarian Chapel, Wakefield
- York Unitarian Chapel
Past Churches
Some Unitarian church buildings are now used for other things:
- Wallasey Memorial Unitarian Church, on the Wirral Peninsula, is now looked after by the Historic Chapels Trust.
- Upper Brook Street Chapel, Manchester, became student accommodation in 2017.
- Lewin's Mead Unitarian meeting house in Bristol was changed into offices in 1987.
- New Meeting House, Moor Street, Birmingham, was rebuilt after being burned down during unrest. Since 1862, it has been St Michael's Catholic Church.
- High Pavement Chapel, Nottingham, is now a pub.
- Platt Chapel, in Fallowfield, Manchester.
Other church buildings are no longer there, but their congregations moved or joined with nearby churches:
- Church of the Saviour, Birmingham, where politician Joseph Chamberlain started his career.
- Church of the Messiah, Birmingham, built over a canal.
- Hope Street Unitarian Chapel, Liverpool; taken down in 1962.
- Octagon Chapel, Liverpool
- Renshaw Street Unitarian Chapel, Liverpool
Connections and Groups
The British Unitarians are part of the International Council of Unitarians and Universalists. They are also members of the European Liberal Protestant Network. The Non-subscribing Presbyterian Church of Ireland also works closely with the GAUFCC.
Besides the 170 or so churches, there are also smaller groups within the General Assembly. Some of these groups focus on interests like history, music, or helping others around the world. Others are based on religious beliefs, such as the Unitarian Christian Association and the Unitarian Earth Spirit Network.
Leaders and Structure
The British Unitarians have a national leader called an elected president. This person holds the position for one year and is the main figurehead. The daily work is handled by an Executive Committee. This committee is led by a Convenor, with help from a Treasurer and a General Secretary (sometimes called Chief Officer), plus other committee members.
At a local level, British Unitarianism is divided into Districts. There are currently 13 Districts in England, two in Wales, and one in Scotland. Each District has a similar structure to the national level, with its own President and Executive Committee. Some Districts also have a District Minister.
Local churches vary in size and how they are run. However, every church must have some form of official leadership. This usually includes a local Council and often a Unitarian minister.
Famous British Unitarians
- Sir Tim Berners Lee, who invented the World Wide Web.
- Sir John Brunner, a businessman and politician.
- Austen Chamberlain, who won the Nobel Peace Prize.
- Joseph Chamberlain, a businessman and important politician.
- Neville Chamberlain, a prime minister.
- Sir Philip Colfox, a politician.
- James Chuter Ede, a politician who was Home Secretary.
- Elizabeth Gaskell, a famous novelist.
- The Lupton family of Leeds, who were successful merchants and community leaders.
- John Sutton Nettlefold, an industrialist.
- Sir Isaac Newton, a famous physicist.
- Joseph Priestley, a chemist and Unitarian clergyman.
- Andrew Pritchard, who made microscopes.
- Cyril Smith, a member of parliament.
- Mary Wollstonecraft, an important feminist writer.
