Lewin's Mead Unitarian meeting house
Encyclopedia
The Lewin's Mead Unitarian meeting house is a former Unitarian
Chapel built in 1788–1791 on Lewin's Mead
in Bristol
, England
.
Designed in the Neoclassical
style by William Blackburn
, the Chapel was constructed on the site of a previous chapel, built in 1705. The site had earlier been the site of a Franciscan
Monastery
.
The chapel was built by the Unitarians as a meeting house to hold 400 people, with stables and coach-house, a lecture room added in 1818, and schoolrooms in 1826. One notable minister, from 1817 to 1839, was Doctor Lant Carpenter
, the father of social reformer Mary Carpenter
. A Grade II* listed building since 1959, it was converted to offices in 1987 by Feilden Clegg architects
, and today houses the offices of a construction consultancy, Provelio.
General Assembly of Unitarian and Free Christian Churches
The General Assembly of Unitarian and Free Christian Churches is the umbrella organisation for Unitarian, Free Christian and other liberal religious congregations in the United Kingdom. It was formed in 1928, with denominational roots going back to the Great Ejection of 1662...
Chapel built in 1788–1791 on Lewin's Mead
Lewin's Mead
Lewin's Mead is an area of Bristol, England, part of the city ward of Cabot, in the historic centre of the city, lying just outside of the former medieval town walls. Several old buildings survive, including the Unitarian Chapel constructed in the late 18th century, an old sugar house, now a hotel...
in Bristol
Bristol
Bristol is a city, unitary authority area and ceremonial county in South West England, with an estimated population of 433,100 for the unitary authority in 2009, and a surrounding Larger Urban Zone with an estimated 1,070,000 residents in 2007...
, England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
.
Designed in the Neoclassical
Neoclassical architecture
Neoclassical architecture was an architectural style produced by the neoclassical movement that began in the mid-18th century, manifested both in its details as a reaction against the Rococo style of naturalistic ornament, and in its architectural formulas as an outgrowth of some classicizing...
style by William Blackburn
William Blackburn
William Blackburn was the leading prison architect of the Georgian Era. Following the principles of John Howard, his designs aimed to provide inmates with dry and airy cells....
, the Chapel was constructed on the site of a previous chapel, built in 1705. The site had earlier been the site of a Franciscan
Franciscan
Most Franciscans are members of Roman Catholic religious orders founded by Saint Francis of Assisi. Besides Roman Catholic communities, there are also Old Catholic, Anglican, Lutheran, ecumenical and Non-denominational Franciscan communities....
Monastery
Monastery
Monastery denotes the building, or complex of buildings, that houses a room reserved for prayer as well as the domestic quarters and workplace of monastics, whether monks or nuns, and whether living in community or alone .Monasteries may vary greatly in size – a small dwelling accommodating only...
.
The chapel was built by the Unitarians as a meeting house to hold 400 people, with stables and coach-house, a lecture room added in 1818, and schoolrooms in 1826. One notable minister, from 1817 to 1839, was Doctor Lant Carpenter
Lant Carpenter
Lant Carpenter, Dr. was an English educator and Unitarian minister.Lant Carpenter was born in Kidderminster, the third son of George Carpenter and his wife Mary ....
, the father of social reformer Mary Carpenter
Mary Carpenter
Mary Carpenter was an English educational and social reformer. The daughter of a Unitarian minister, she founded a ragged school and reformatories, bringing previously unavailable educational opportunities to poor children and young offenders in Bristol.She published articles and books on her work...
. A Grade II* listed building since 1959, it was converted to offices in 1987 by Feilden Clegg architects
Feilden Clegg Bradley Studios
Feilden Clegg Bradley Studios is a British architectural design firm, established in 1978, with offices in London and Bath, United Kingdom. The studio won the Stirling Prize in 2008, and is known for use of solar design and sustainable design....
, and today houses the offices of a construction consultancy, Provelio.
See also
- Grade II* listed buildings in Bristol