About Us

The Chapel

Kendal Unitarian Chapel is an independent charity affiliated to the General Assembly of the Unitarian movement and fully supports its aims and activities. It is also a member of the North and East Lancashire Unitarian Mission. To learn more about our ministry team click here.

The Chapel itself is situated on Branthwaite Brow at the east end of the Market Place in the heart of the ancient town of Kendal in Cumbria. There are two main buildings: the Chapel itself, built in 1720, and the Schoolroom with its ornate domed ceiling, which was built in 1882. Both buildings are accessible by ramps and are linked by the Vestry.

In 2022 the Multi-Faith Garden was officially added to the existing gardens, and the gardens are now affiliated to the Quiet Gardens Movement. They are accessible to the public from 10am till 4pm most days. To learn more about the gardens and grounds click here.

Our Ethos

The ethos of Kendal Unitarian Chapel encompasses freedom, reason and tolerance. Freedom is expressed through the encouragement for each person to find his or her own spiritual path, without the constraints of a formal creed or doctrine imposed from above, and informed by reason and conscience.

Tolerance means not only listening to new ideas and being willing to learn from others but also celebrating differences between people in an atmosphere of mutual respect. The members of the congregation have a great variety of attitudes and beliefs and we welcome all who come in a genuine spirit of openness, seeking to learn from other people’s thoughts and experiences.

This ethos is expressed through our worship in the Chapel, which may explore new and diverse ways of approaching the Divine. And it is expressed through the Chapel’s long commitment to social concerns through education, justice, health and gender equality.

History

The present Kendal Unitarian Chapel dates from 1720. It was built under the auspices of the Rev Caleb Rotheram for a congregation of Dissenting Protestants referred to as ‘Presbyterian’, and replaced a meeting place, now demolished, on the Kendal Fellside. Although its theological leanings are not clear, it is known that it never imposed any doctrinal tests or creed on its ministers or members, who were devoted to the promotion of religious liberty and social welfare.

By the mid 18th century it appears to have become avowedly Unitarian, but it was not until 1813 that the law allowed this to be declared openly. The Chapel was renovated in 1880 and the Wilkinson organ, still in regular use, was built in 1881. In 1882 the Schoolroom, with its richly decorated domed ceiling, was built and so the main Chapel premises took largely their present form.

Membership

Many people attend the Chapel without being members, but membership can bring you benefits if you wish to become more involved with the life and work of the Chapel. There is no pressure to become a member, but you might like to consider this after you have attended regularly for at least six months and if you are in sympathy with the beliefs, values and ethos of our Chapel and of the Unitarian movement.