Kingswood History
The first chapel was built in 1708 in Dark Lane, Hollywood. Its builders are thought to have been a group of dissenters from Birmingham who wished to worship in what was considered to be a safer locality. However, seven years later their Chapel was damaged by rioters and finally, in 1791, it was destroyed by fire in the Priestley riots. The present building in Packhorse Lane, which was completed in 1793, was built by members of the congregation. Both the old chapel and the present one had Sunday and day schools and free elementary education was provided for the children of the neighbourhood until 1874.
The Chapel is part of the Midland Union of Unitarian congregations and is affiliated to the General Assembly of Unitarian and Free Christian Churches.
The flaming chalice from Kingswood which we light at the start of worship. The flaming chalice is the symbol of Unitarianism.
© Rev A Howe 2007
