Unitarian Church, Wallasey, Merseyside
Listed Grade II*

The church was designed by Edmund Ware and Edmund Rathbone and opened in 1899. Its interior displays a rare, remarkable example of English 'Arts and Crafts' furnishing in a Nonconformist chapel and contains fittings by many craftsmen associated with the Bromsgrove Guild. Bernard Sleigh painted the panels on the ends of the choirstalls, communion table and pulpit. Benjamin Creswick executed the carved figures on the choirstalls. The reredos is of Birkenhead 'Della Robbia' ware designed by Harold Rathbone. Everything survives with minimal alteration and in an excellent state of preservation.

George Breeze, a scholar of the Arts and Crafts movement, thus describes the wood carving:

Throughout the decoration Sleigh has had the enchanting idea of letting the grain of the figured oak speak for itself, particularly appropriate for an artist who was primarily a wood engraver. Thus a path, a wall, or a cloud will be the unadorned oak, their shape being defined by the neighbouring painted parts. All this decoration neatly combines the Unitarian belief in the praise of God through His Creation with the Birmingham School's belief in the pre-eminence of Nature.

HCT has completed a major repair of the church and hall and upgraded its facilities for modern usage. The hall will continue to be used by Wallasey Drama Club. The church is available for important lectures, AGMs, exhibitions, etc., and for occasional services of worship. Disabled access is available by lift. Wallasey School of Ballet is using the church hall.

Access can be arranged by ringing 0151 639 9707. Scholars are especially welcome.

St George's German Lutheran Church,
55 Alie Street, London E1 8EB
Tel: 020 7481 0533 Fax: 020 7488 3756
email: chapels@hct.org.uk

Company Number: 2778395.
Registered Charity Number: 1017321