The first Chapel was a simple wooden structure built in 1692. It was rebuilt, on the same approximate site, as a brick Chapel in 1828. This building is now our Chapel Hall. The current Chapel was built in stages between 1862 and 1885. It is built in a Gothic style, with pointed vaulted cieling, stone arches, and stain glass windows. Two of the windows were created by the reknown English artists Burne-Jones and William Morris. Plaques on the Chapel walls are dedicated to past members, including the first woman artist admitted to the Royal Academy (Hellen Allingham). The Chapel contains four reliefs by John Flaxman, a noted sculptor from the early 19th century. The atmosphere is one of peace and reverence.
The architecture and design of the Chapel reflect Unitarianism Christian roots, and has a traditional church layout with a magnificent organ, and some beautiful stained glass windows designed by William Morris and Edward Burne-Jones. The Chapel has often been used for classical music recordings because of the exceptionally good acoustics due to our high vaulted wooden ceiling. As well as the Chapel we have a church hall, Manse and three cottages in the grounds in the centre of Hampstead.
[Return to front page]
