History of Unitarianism in the North
There’s a long history of Unitarianism in the North East of England and Wales.
The NUA’s current smaller size doesn’t reflect the number of congregations we once had. At one time there were no fewer than 14 churches, chapels and meeting houses in the region; Barnard Castle, Carlisle, Choppington, Darlington, Durham, Gateshead, Middlesbrough, Newcastle upon Tyne (Ellison Place), Newcastle upon Tyne, (Byker Mission), Newcastle upon Tyne, (Pandon Bank), North Shields, South Shields, Stockton-on-Tees and Sunderland. The last of these closures took place in 1980.
Our full history stretches back to 1813, under the guidance of one of Newcastle upon Tyne Unitarians’ most notable ministers, Rev. William Turner. See the attached document for our full history!
Here’s a few more links:
- Rev. William Turner’s history can be found here: Newcastle upon Tyne Unitarians Ministers
- A history of one of the member chapels: Choppington, the Chapel of the Miners’ Lamp
- Unitarian History in general: The Unitarian Historical Society