Taunton Unitarian Chapel facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Unitarian Chapel
Unitarian Chapel Location in Somerset
51°00′44″N 3°06′08″W / 51.0122°N 3.1022°W / 51.0122; -3.1022
OS grid reference	ST227242
Location	Taunton, Somerset
Country	England
Denomination	Unitarian
Previous denomination	Baptist
History
Founded	1721
Architecture
Style	Italianate

Taunton Unitarian Chapel is an old church on Mary Street in Taunton, Somerset, England. It was first built in the early 1700s as a Baptist church. Later, it became a Unitarian chapel.

The outside of the building was updated in the 1800s. It was given an Italianate look, which is a style inspired by Italian buildings. The chapel is also a Grade II* listed building, meaning it's a very important historic place.

The first Baptist church in Taunton was built in 1670. This was on or near where the chapel stands today. The current building replaced it in 1712. Over time, the church changed its beliefs to Unitarianism. This was a big deal because Unitarian worship was against the law until 1813.

In 1814, another church group, the Presbyterians, joined the Unitarian church. Later in the 1800s, the chapel was greatly improved. In the early 2000s, more repairs were done. The chapel is still used today for services twice a month.

Chapel History: From Baptists to Unitarians

Early Days: Baptists in Taunton

After the English Reformation in the 1500s, many people were unhappy. They didn't like the government controlling the Church of England. This led to groups called Dissenters forming their own churches. Worshipping any faith other than the Church of England was illegal. People caught doing so could be arrested or even put to death.

Oliver Cromwell allowed more religious freedom for a while. But after he died, Dissenters faced more trouble. A law called the Act of Uniformity 1549 made the Book of Common Prayer the only legal way to worship.

Taunton had many Dissenters, including a Baptist group by 1646. Even with the danger, they built their first meeting house on Mary Street in 1670.

Religious Freedom and Growth

In 1672, King Charles II tried to bring more religious freedom. He issued the Royal Declaration of Indulgence. In Somerset, 82 places asked for permission to hold worship services. Twenty-two of these were for Baptists. However, this freedom didn't last long. Parliament made the King take back the Declaration the next year.

This led to more problems for Dissenters. Things got worse after the failed Monmouth rebellion, where many Dissenters fought against the King. But after James II was removed, William III brought in the Act of Toleration 1689. This law finally allowed nonconformist worship.

By 1721, the Baptist community in Taunton had grown. They were also quite wealthy. They built a new chapel, paid for by the church members. It was very close to the first meeting house. During the time of their pastor, Joseph Jeffries, the church slowly changed from Baptist to Unitarianism.

Becoming a Unitarian Chapel

The church likely became Unitarian around 1722 or 1733. This type of worship was still against the law. The Act of Toleration didn't include nontrinitarianism. Unitarianism teaches that there is "One God and Father of all," not the Trinity (God as three persons).

Joseph Jeffries' strong preaching helped the church grow. Joshua Toulmin was a pastor at the chapel from 1764 to 1803. He faced many challenges during his time there. At one point, people even burned a dummy of him outside his door.

The famous poet Samuel Taylor Coleridge sometimes preached at the chapel. He would walk 11 miles from his home to Taunton to lead services for Dr. Toulmin. Unitarian worship finally became legal in 1813 with the Doctrine of the Trinity Act 1813.

Joining Forces and Renovations

In 1814, a new Baptist group started in Taunton. The next year, the Presbyterians in Taunton needed a new place to meet. Their old building was falling apart. So, they joined the Unitarian church. This made the chapel very full. "Children had to sit on the stairs!"

In 1826, an organ was added to the chapel. The building was also "beautified" for £600. The chapel closed for a few months in 1881 for more renovations. This is when the stucco front was added. The building used to have two front doors, but these were changed to one central door.

The Unitarians were pioneers in education in Taunton. They provided a free school for poor children. They were the first in town to offer this service equally for both girls and boys. In 1886, the Mary Street Memorial Schools were built next to the chapel. These schools were for the memory of John Collins Odgers' late wife and her father, William Arthur Jones, who was a pastor at the chapel. The Unitarian church ran the school until 1933. The school building was also used for Sunday school and for meetings.

In the mid-1960s, the chapel was featured on a TV show by Sir John Betjeman. He was very excited about its history and architecture.

In the early 2000s, the building had more repairs. A main roof support was badly damaged and fixed. The front of the building was also improved to protect it from weather. Services are still held at the Unitarian Chapel. As of March 2015, they meet twice a month.

Chapel Architecture

The Unitarian Chapel still has much of its original inside design. This includes square Corinthian columns and oak galleries. It also has a beautifully carved wooden pulpit. A large brass chandelier was given to the chapel later in the 1700s. It was a gift from Nathaniel Webb, who was a Member of Parliament for Taunton.

In 1881, the front of the building was decorated with stucco in an Italianate style. This means it looks like buildings from Italy. Each floor has pilasters, which are like flat columns on the wall. The main doorway is framed by two pairs of these pilasters. It has a triangular top part called a pediment.

On the ground floor, there are four round-topped windows. The first floor has five round-topped window areas. However, the outer two pairs of these windows are blocked. The chapel was named a Grade II* listed building in 1952.