A talk is being given by eminent conservation architect Peter Riddington tomorrow (Wednesday, March 21) to mark the 307th birthday of the Unitarian Meeting House, in Bury St Edmunds.
He doesn’t claim to be an expert on the Unitarians or the history of the meeting house, but he is an expert on conservation of fine buildings.
He said: “One of the reasons why the Unitarian Meeting House is considered special is because English Baroque ecclesiastical buildings are very rare; ours in Bury St Edmunds is one, St Paul’s Cathedral is another.”
The event will celebrate the building of the Unitarian Meeting House, in Churchgate Street. which was agreed by the congregation on March 21, 1711. They stipulated that local builders should be used and the building was completed by the end of 1711 when they held their inaugural service.
Apart from the fine brickwork the building boasts a fine three-tier pulpit and oval window.
There is a wine reception starting at 6.30pm followed by Mr Riddington’s talk about what makes the Unitarian Meeting House “special”.
He will examine the development of dissenting places of worship and the how the meeting house was established and why it’s architectural expression is significant.
The celebration is organised by the Friends of the Unitarian Meeting House, a group organised in 2016 to “keep the Unitarian Meeting House open for the public to enjoy and use.”
The event is open to the public and admission is free.
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