Westgate Chapel (Unitarian)

Join us for a guided tour of our historic Grade 2* Chapel; designed by York Architect John Carr in 1752, much of the building we see today was "upcycled" from the previous chapel of 1697. Carr, a local man from Horbury, was well known to the trustees of the chapel through Whig politics and liberal religion. The 2nd Marquis of Rockingham, Charles Watson Wentworth, employed Carr as both an architect and source of information about the politics of the West Riding. Discover the links between Carr, Rockingham and Wakefield.

The Chapel's Westgate burial ground is the final resting place of many of the "great and good" of Wakefield: John F Goodchild M.Univ, Henry Clarkson, Annie O'Dwyer and the Marriott family are amongst those laid to rest here. Join us for a guided tour of the burial ground.
Links of the chapel to notable writers of the 18th and 19th century will be explored: the family of Elizabeth Gaskell are buried at the chapel, so too those of poet Richard Monkton Milnes. Harriet Martineau was a frequent visitor to the chapel: her sister married the minister here, 1844-1858, the Rev Edward Higginson. Others of note was Higginson's successor, the Rev J Goodwyn Barmby, who was known to Margaret Fuller and Dickens. Eighteenth century essayist Thomas Amory, creator of John Buncle, was a member of the congregation. Other writers known to have visited the chapel include Drs Priestley and Franklin.

Timings & Tours

Saturday 13 September:

10:00 to 16:00

Saturday 20 September:

10:00 to 16:00

Sunday 21 September:

12:00 to 16:00

Location & directions

Westgate Chapel (Unitarian), Westgate, Wakefield, West Yorkshire, WF1 1XR

Directions:

Limited parking in the chapel drive.

Contact on day:

Paul Lindsay Dawson

Telephone number:

+447729108385

Booking information

Pre-booking requirement:

Pre-booking not required

Additional information

Max no of people per tour:

20

Est. tour duration:

1 hour(s) 0 minute(s)

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