Cross Street Chapel

Cross Street Chapel is a Unitarian church building in central Manchester that combines historic and modern spaces within its structure. The building houses a dedicated room displaying items and information related to novelist Elizabeth Gaskell, who had connections to the congregation.

The building was founded in 1694 by Henry Newcome after his break with the established church, establishing this as a place for his congregation to worship. It was destroyed twice and rebuilt after 1715 and 1940, which is why the current structure shows both older and newer features.

The chapel served as a gathering place for Manchester's liberal thinkers and reformers during the Victorian era, who met here to discuss ideas and social change. This role shaped how the building was used and valued by the local community for generations.

The chapel is located on Cross Street in central Manchester and easy to find within the city center. The building hosts religious services, community gatherings, and private events, so checking opening times before visiting helps ensure you can explore the space properly.

In 2012, this building became the first place of worship in England permitted to conduct civil partnership ceremonies, marking a significant shift in how the space was used. This change shows how the institution adapted to serve new needs within the community.