Toxteth Unitarian Chapel, Liverpool

Toxteth Unitarian Chapel is located on Park Road, one of the main streets that run through Toxteth, a traditionally working class area southeast of the city centre. A Grade I listed building and still a functioning inner city chapel, this unusual place of worship is also known as the Ancient Chapel of Toxteth. The chapel was built in the early 17th century by Puritan farmers. Richard Mather, a local schoolmaster and Oxford University graduate, became priest here, before being suspended from the clergy due to his nonconformist views. Nevertheless, Toxteth Unitarian Chapel remained a centre for Christian dissenters from throughout the region, and grew in size to accommodate its growing congregation.

In the 18th century, the chapel fell into disrepair, losing worshippers to larger churches across the city, but was rebuilt in 1774. This tiny chapel, still standing next to the school house Richard Mather once ran, holds fortnightly Unitarian services to this day. The chapel is a two storey stone building with a slate roof. A plaque, erected in 1918, sits above the building’s main entrance. Inside, there are a number of historical artefacts to be found. Two of the box pews, used for seating the congregation, as well as a brass monument, date back to the 17th century.