Upper Chapel Unitarian (1700) 

A Brief History

The Congregation was founded by James Fisher who was the Vicar of Sheffield Parish Church (now Sheffield Cathedral) during the Commonwealth of England.  Rev. Fisher was expelled from the Parish Church on 24th August 1662 in the Great Ejection, during the Restoration of the monarchy, for refusing to sign the (4th) Act of Uniformity.

The present brick-built building, the first purpose-built non-conformist place of worship in Sheffield (originally called 'New Chapel') was erected in 1700 under the ministry of the Rev. Timothy Jollie and faced onto Fargate.  At one point in its history, the Chapel's congregation numbered one thousand, which was one sixth of the town's population.

In the 1840s, the chapel was turned around to face across Alsopp Fields.  It was faced with stone and a tetrastyle portico was added.

In 1847, the roof was raised and the interior reconstructed, to include a gallery.  Alterations by John Frith were completed in 1848.   The Chapel's Channing Hall was constructed in 1881 and completed in 1882.

Upper Chapel is a  Member of the General Assembly of Unitarian and Free Christian Churches.