Site Event/Activity record ECH4147 - The Old School Room, Cairo Street Unitarian, Warrington: Archaeological Evaluation

The chapel was founded in 1703 by a Presbyterian congregation, which descended from that established by Robert Yates, the former rector of Warrington parish who was deprived in 1662. The present chapel was constructed in 1745, although it was much restored in the 19th century. The chapel has been of Unitarian affiliation since the late 18th century and the presence of numerous memorials in the enclosed plot around the chapel indicates that much of this area has been used for burial. In addition, a school room was constructed in the south-east corner of the plot in the 19th century. Proposals are currently being formulated for the demolition and re-development of the school room and its immediate environs as part of a wider development of the land to the east of the chapel grounds. It was thought possible that this area might contain burials, although none are currently marked in this part of the chapel grounds. Evaluation trenching of this area by Marches Archaeology in 2006 revealed a deep accumulation of soil and several post-medieval drainage features. No evidence of burials was found, however, confirming that the school room and its immediate vicinity have never been used for burials. (1)