Commemorative plaque 11532

This black commemorative plaque records: UNITARIAN CHAPEL. This chapel was built in 1720 for a Presbyterian congregation dedicated to civil and religious liberty. It became prominent in the anti-slavery movement and openly Unitarian in the 1820s. In 1733 its first minister, Dr Caleb Rotherham, founded an academy in which he taught divinity, science and advanced mathematics. The former manse north of the entrance was built 1781 and the chapel was restored in 1882. Recorded plaque organisation: Kendal Civic Society.

This Unitarian Chapel, originally a Presbyterian congregation founded in 1720, played a significant role in the anti-slavery movement and promoted civil and religious liberty; its first minister, Dr Caleb Rotherham, established an academy in 1733 that taught divinity alongside science and advanced mathematics.