Westgate_Unitarian_Chapel
Westgate Unitarian Chapel is a historic chapel in the city centre of Wakefield, in West Yorkshire, England.
The origins of the chapel lie in a group of supporters of Joshua Kirkby, who was ejected from Wakefield Parish Church, and a group of non-conformists in Alverthorpe. The two decided to build a joint Presbyterian chapel, just north of Westgate, halfway between their two settlements, which opened in 1697.[1]
In 1752 the chapel was replaced by the current building. Later in the century, the congregation joined the Unitarian movement.[2] It is built of brick, and is two storeys high and three bays long. It is in the Doric order, with a cupola. There are several Venetian windows on the ground floor. Inside the chapel is plain,[3] with a pulpit of 1737 moved from the former chapel, and an organ constructed in 1847.[2] Most of the woodwork dates from the late 19th century.[3] There are catacombs under the chapel, which are occasionally opened to the public.[4][5]
The chapel was Grade II* listed in 1971.[3]
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