Brighton Unitarian Church

Brighton in the late eighteenth century was turning from a fishing village to a fashionable resort, largely because of the patronage of the Prince Regent. New Road, as it is now known, was built on his instructions. The main north-south road leading out of the old town ran next to the Royal Pavilion, where he lived; noise and traffic disturbed him and made access to his stables difficult. He asked the architect of his stables to build a new road further to the west, and closed the original route.[4] New Road was pedestrianised in 2007.[5]

A congregation of Baptists with Calvinist views had been established in Brighton since the 18th century. A rift developed from 1791, when William Stevens, a newcomer, introduced Universalist views.[6] In 1793[7] or 1795,[6] Stevens and 18 others (including the original pastor) were expelled. From 1797, a small but steadily growing congregation met at Stevens' house; by 1806 they had moved to a small chapel in Jew Street, near the Baptists' meeting place in Bond Street. A Unitarian missionary popularised the theology among the congregation, and assistance from the leader of the Unitarian community in nearby Ditchling, John Chatfield, enabled a meeting room to be bought. This opened in 1812.[6][8]

When the Prince sold the land he owned west of New Road, the congregation paid £650 for a plot on which a new chapel could be built. Chatfield, who also made all the arrangements, donated £200. Architect Amon Henry Wilds, whose career in Brighton was just beginning, designed the stuccoed, temple-style building on the instruction of Dr Morell, a classical scholar who became the first minister at the chapel.[8]

The church was full to its 350 capacity on its opening date of 20 August 1820.[7][8] After several changes of name, it has been known as the Brighton Unitarian Church since the 1940s.[7][9] Now with a reduced capacity of 100,[10] there is a weekly Sunday service.[11] Rebuilding and refurbishment work was carried out in 1936,[12] 1966[4] and 2004.[13] The roof had to be repaired after it was damaged in the Great Storm of 1987.[12]

The church is licensed for worship in accordance with the Places of Worship Registration Act 1855 and has the registration number 9189.[14]

The building's design reflects the Temple of Thesæus in Athens.[2][7][8] The east-facing entrance is a tetrastyle portico:[1] four Doric columns surmounted by an entablature and pediment. Ancient Greek writing quoting the letter of St Paul to the Romans — "To God only wise, be glory through Jesus Christ" (Rom 16:27) — originally featured on the pediment, but it was removed later in the 19th century to prevent confusion: some even believed the writing was Hebrew and the building a synagogue.[7][8] The building is of brick, but the frontage is stuccoed.[1][12]

The church was listed at Grade II by English Heritage on 13 October 1952.[12] It is one of 1,124 Grade II-listed buildings and structures, and 1,218 listed buildings of all grades, in the city of Brighton and Hove.[15]

• Grade II listed buildings in Brighton and Hove: A–B
• List of places of worship in Brighton and Hove

• Brighton Unitarians Web Site