The Chapel is taking the opportunity of the 350th anniversary of the Declaration of Indulgence from which the Unitarian movement grew to launch an Anniversary Appeal to raise £350,000 to help safeguard the Chapel in the Garden, a grade 2* listed building, for future generations. Funds must be raised to address structural and building issues as well as substantial maintenance and decorative matters. In the first instance a major damp course (a common problem for many of our older buildings in Bridport).
In 1672 Dissenters in Bridport held their first legal meeting on the 1st of May with the preacher, Richard Downe, and on Sunday May 1st 2022 it will be commemorating 350 years since the first Dissenting religious service in Bridport was held. The New Meeting, our current chapel, was built by the then chair of trustees, Thomas Collins Colfox, in 1798 on the site of the Crown Inn replacing the Old Meeting Barrack Street.
Everyone is warmly invited to the service of celebration in the Chapel at 11am, led by the Reverend Elizabeth Harley, the chapel’s minister, which will be followed by a shared lunch. There will be an opportunity to learn more of our history and celebrate our role in the community, affirming their belief in Faith in Action.
We are aiming to raise £350,000 over the next two years. The money will be held in a Special Reserve for building work. The Chapel Trustees have set aside £10,000 of reserves to start the Fund off and will allocate more if surplus monies become available. Note if wished, donations can be made anonymously by contacting David Willis davidw.citg@btinternet.com
