Building record 1241/2/0 - Unitarian Chapel, Adams Hill

<1> Richards R, 1947, Old Cheshire Churches, Richards R 1972 /376-378 (Book). SCH2309.

Unitarian Chapel, Adam's Hill. Built c.1689 at the passing of the Act of Toleration. In Knutsford in 1672 2 of the ejected clergy applied for licences to preach in their own houses. One cottage used for such meetings by Hugh Henshaw at Cross Town, Knutsford, known as Chapel House, was in existence until c. 1906. The Dissenting congregation of Knutsford was sufficiently well-established in 1687 to call William Tong from Chester to be its minister. Said they prepared to build the present chapel before 1689 Act

<2> Department of the Environment, 1971-2005, List of Buildings of Special Architectural or Historic Interest, /1/1 (Report). SCH1934.

Brick chapel with stone slab and slate roof. Six stone mullioned windows. Projecting porch to right and left, each with an external stone staircase leading to first floor. Interior: first storey balcony with good carved splat balusters and old oak pews. Surrounded by graveyard, in which is the grave of Mrs E C Gaskell, noted 19th century authoress. Full architectural description

<3> Royal Commission on the Historical Monuments of England (RCHME), 1994, An Inventory of Non-Conformist Chapels and Meeting Houses in the North of England, Cheshire Number 60 (Book). SCH4548.

Presbyterian presence in Knutsford is known from 1672 when two ejected ministers, Hugh Henshaw and Peter Leigh, took out licences to preach hear. However the development of a substantial society was delayed by the existence of an evangelical ministry at the parochial chapel. When the curate, Rev. Kettleby Turner died in 1687 to be replaced, after dispute involving the rights of the inhabitants to appoint a successor, by a man less sympathetic to non-conformist susceptibilities, support for the existing society was much increased and a pastor appointed. In January 1690 the house of Isaac Antrobus was registered for meetings, to be followed shortly by the erection of the present chapel in an adjacent field. The chapel was registered in January 1694 and the trust deed of 7 March 7 William III (1695) refers to an earlier agreement allowing the congregation to build the Chapel at their own expense. The development of a heterodox ministry from the mid 18th century and the subsequent arrival of other denominations has left the chapel entirely in Unitarian hands.
The pulpit was removed in 1859 with the former pulpit being removed to the Renshaw street mission, Manchester. Many old books, including 18th century volumes exist in the church

<4> Ordnance Survey, 1909-1912, Ordnance Survey Second Revision County Series (Epoch 3) 25 inch to 1 mile - Cheshire (Maps and Plans). SCH4361.

The third edition Ordnance Survey 25inch to 1mile maps show a slightly detached Sunday school