Monument record MCC9300 - The Round Meeting House Congregation Chapel, Lion Walk, Colchester

Summary

The Round Meeting House was built in 1766 and demolished in 1862, to be replaced by the Victorian Congregation Church (erected in 1863 and demolished in 1984)(MCC3442). The associated burial ground and the vaults were officially closed on 1st May 1855, a year after the municipal cemetery was opened.

Location

Grid reference TL 9971 2505 (point)
Map sheet TL92NE
County ESSEX
Non Parish Area COLCHESTER, COLCHESTER, ESSEX

Map

Type and Period (1)

Full Description

The first meeting house was built in 1892 in Moor Lane (now Priory Street). By 1763 the trustees raised the money by subscription to purchase land in Red Lion Walk on which to build a new meeting house. Building work began on the site in April 1765 and the chapel was opened on 30th October 1765. Althoug octagonal in shape, the chapel was known as the Round Meeting House. The building was two storeys high and built in red brick. The main entrance was in the west wall. A deed of 1793 describes the land occupied by the meeting house as being enclosed with brick walls and gates on the west and south sides and a fence to the north. In 1816 the meeting house was enlarged on its west side by the addition of a rectangular brick extension. In 1848, the maximum number which the building could accommodate was put at 734.<1>

During the demolition and clearance of the area in 1984-5, no traces of the building was noted.

Sources/Archives (1)

  • <1> Monograph: Crummy, Philip. 1992. CAR 6: Excavations at Culver Street, the Gilberd School, and other sites in Colchester 1971-85. 6. pp.378-384 & Figs. 13.261 & 13.262.

Finds (0)

Protected Status/Designation

Related Monuments/Buildings (2)

Related Events/Activities (1)

Record last edited

May 20 2016 10:23AM

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