Welcome to Underbank Chapel 
Underbank is a Unitarian Chapel set is glorious surroundings overlooking the Loxley Valley near Sheffield. It was founded in 1652 and the current building was constructed in 1743. The Present minister is Rev June Pettitt.
THE Underbank Congregation has its origins in the 17th Century, with land and property left by one Richard Spoone for the maintenance of a "preaching minister" in 1652, during the period of the Commonwealth. A barn was converted for the purpose of religious worship, and functioned as a "Chapel-of-ease" (i.e. of accessibility ) to Bradfield Parish Church. The form of appointment of the minister appears to have been more in the Presbyterian tradition than the Episcopalian, however, and by 1700 the congregation seems to have been Dissenting. The final and definite break with the established church came with the building of the new Chapel, the present building, on a site adjoining the original converted barn, in 1742-3.
During the 18th Century, not without controversy, the congregation came to adopt a Unitarian stance, affirming the unity of God and the humanity of Jesus in contrast to orthodox Trinitarian belief, which was held to be unscriptural. They did not impose an alternative Unitarian orthodoxy, however, but continued in the radical dissenting tradition of individual liberty in matters of faith. Architecturally the Chapel is widely regarded as being a distinctive and interesting example of its type as a "Dissenters' Meeting House of the 18th Century.
It features on the front cover of The Unitarian Heritage (1986), the first major architectural survey of places of worship in the Unitarian tradition in the British Isles.
The chapel has traditional fixed pews, and seats approximately 110 downstairs. There is also a gallery upstairs which can be used, making seating up to about 160 to 180 in total.
Our minister is June Pettitt.
Dear Friends
Our Harvest Festival will take place on Sunday October 5th at the usual service time of 10.45 a.m. September is a good month to bring it to everyone’s attention, as an important date for your diary. Everyone is welcome. It will be for all ages.
Harvest is a time when we offer our gratitude for all the gifts of life which we receive. Some of the food we eat comes from far and wide across our globe, and we are grateful for the variety this brings. Yet Harvest Festivals in days gone by would have been a gathering-in celebration before the cold of winter, focusing on the local produce for that year. Perhaps as transport costs increase we will think more about our own locality and what it provides. If anyone has any local knowledge of farms, gardens and produce in the Stannington area, which could be mentioned in our Harvest Celebration, please let June know.
Also anyone of any age who would like to draw or paint a harvest picture to be shown at our service please let June know. (0114 2352213)
June
Please look at our Photo Gallery for photos of June's Induction. Many thanks to Ernest Baker for supplying them
