Hyde Chapel Free Christians

Knott Lane, Gee Cross, Hyde, Cheshire SK14 5SQ, England, U.K.
Charity number 1085552
exterior view Services Forthcoming Events Activities Our history Chapel Contacts Links
Hyde Chapel is the home of a congregation of Free Christians, who worship in the village of Gee Cross, Hyde, to the east of Manchester. We have a joint pastorate with Flowery Field church, Hyde.

Services
Sunday Worship, including Sunday School 11.00 a.m. every Sunday (Evening services as announced)
Communion Service 11.00 a.m. First Sunday of the month and on Maundy Thursday

Forthcoming Events

The hall may be booked for birthday parties, etc.

Our history
window The history of Hyde Chapel goes back to before 1708, when the congregation built the first Christian place of worship in Hyde. A new church replaced the former building in 1846. This second chapel is still in use today, its high steeple, a noted landmark, is also a Grade II, listed building.

Our forefathers were Presbyterian in churchmanship. Theologically the fellowship has gone through a number of phases, but the most of us are happy to be known as Free Christian. Because of our imposing building and our location at the heart of the community, we are regarded as the village church. As a result many people look to us at significant times in their lives; birth, marriage and death. Through our worship services, Sunday school and mid-week activities ranging from Mums and Tots to Bible Study, prayer and discussion to social activities, we hope to cater for the spiritual and social needs of the people of Hyde.

The faith for which this Chapel stands is indicated in the words used at the dedication in 1708, which state: ‘that this building be used for the worship of the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ’.
 The Congregation has held resolutely to the simple but comprehensive title ‘Hyde Chapel’ throughout its history.

Beatrix Potter's mother and aunt were both married at Hyde Chapel. The Rev. Charles Beard married her mother, Helen Leech, and Rupert Potter in August 1863, while her aunt, Elizabeth Leech, married Walter Potter in May 1862. The Potter family grave is in the churchyard.
 At the Victoria and Albert Museum in London there is an exhibition with changing displays of Beatrix Potter’s work, such as the delightful illustrations for her children’s books.

Chapel Contacts

Minister

Rev. Eric Breeze  0161 351 9652

Secretary

Mrs Ella Dale

0161 368 3000

Assistant Secretary

Mrs Pat Winterbottom

0161 368 3173

Wedding

Mrs Joyce Hughes

0161 366 6102

Baptisms

Mrs Pat Winterbottom

0161 368 3173

Funerals Mr Roy Manton 0161 368 7684

Archivist

Mrs Ella Dale

0161 368 3000

E-mail contact

Links
General Assembly of Unitarian and Free Christian Churches
International Association for Religious Freedom (IARF)
International Council of Unitarians & Universalists (I.C.U.U.)
Unitarian College Manchester
National Unitarian Fellowship
Unitarian Universalist Association of Congregations in North America
Unitarian Societies
East Cheshire Union of Unitarian and Free Christian Churches