I like to visit other Unitarian congregations when I can, and when a family birthday took me back to Wakefield, my mum and I went off to visit Doncaster – which is a ‘Unitarian and Free Christian’ Church, rather than a merely Unitarian one! We sometimes forget that our full name is the ‘General Assembly of Unitarian and Free Christian Churches’.

To give a little of their history, the congregation was founded in 1692, and, like ourselves, has its roots in the Protestant dissenters from the established Church of England. Having had several homes (again, like us!) in private houses, and two chapels in 1740 and 1803, the foundation stones for the present building were laid in 1912 (although this building was not originally meant to be the chapel). At this time the congregation merged with a liberal Christian group ejected from a nearby Congregational Church, just a little further up Hall Gate, and it was at this point that they adopted the name ‘Free Christian Church’ was given at this time. It was made explicit that: “this in no way binds the future of the Church whose free trust deed governs the whole situation”. One of their former ministers is Rev. Tom McCready, who has led several services for us. (Thanks to their website for these details: https://doncasterunitarians.org.uk/history.html#.)

Doncaster Church is tucked away in the middle of the city, but fortunately their website has excellent directions, and we arrived just in time. The church may be discreetly hidden away, but once you find it, it’s surprisingly large, as you can see in the photos.

Inside, we joined minister Rev. Stephanie Bisby and the congregation to celebrate International Women’s Day with readings and songs by and about women. Rev. Bisby was kind enough to give us the guided tour, and invite us for coffee and cake afterwards! Many thanks to all for their warm welcome.