One of Ipswich’s most important historic structures, the Unitarian Meeting House was built in 1699 and opened in 1700 by John Fairfax, with much of the building’s original structure and character remaining intact today. 2024 sees the building celebrate its 325th anniversary.
The interior has many impressive and original features including the spy hole used to keep watch for attackers’ or hostile officials and a richly carved and decorated high pulpit surrounded by box pews and a large three-sided gallery.
Ipswich Unitarian Meeting House retains its original aspect and character more or less intact. This adds to its rarity for few such Meeting Houses have survived, and fewer still without drastic alteration. The rarity is heightened still further by its timber-frame construction. It is believed to be the only remaining example of a purpose-built timber-framed Dissenting Meeting House of its period.
Unitarian Meeting House, Friars Street
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Brought to you by Ipswich Central, the Business Improvement District (BID) for the town centre and waterfront thanks to Ipswich Borough Council and Towns Deal funding.
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Registration No: 5339846. Registered Office: The Master’s House, 19 Lower Brook Street, Ipswich, Suffolk IP4 1AQ.
