Unitarians celebrate 40 years in Clover Street

Rochdale Unitarian Church

This weekend Rochdale Unitarians will be celebrating the 40th anniversary of the opening of their current building in Clover Street.

The building was completed in May 1974 and opened officially on 27 July 1974.

Until 1972, there had been two buildings: the Blackwater Street Church, used for services, and the Clover Street Chapel, used for Sunday School. Blackwater Street was demolished to make way for the new market.

This marked 'the first 'break' in the Unitarian building partnership since the churches amalgamated in 1890. It provided an opportunity to demolish the building on Clover Street and build the present multi-purpose building.

The exquisite pre-Raphaelite altar windows, designed by the Victorian artist Edward Burne-Jones, were retained from the Blackwater Street church and incorporated in the new building where they serve as a constant reminder of a shared heritage.

A spokesperson for the church said: "The current church is a spiritual home to the congregation, which is held together by our shared heritage and by a unique faith. It also allows for a wide variety of religious and social activities. The church is well known within Rochdale as its rooms are used by a variety of social and interest groups most afternoons and evenings."

An Anniversary Service on Sunday 27 July at 2.30pm will be led by Marion Baker, National President of the General Assembly of Unitarian and Free Christian Churches. This will be followed by tea and cake, and an opportunity to see the exhibition and reminisce.