Unitarians were the first denomination to have women Ministers, and offer blessings for gay couples. Famous Unitarians include: Charles Dickens, Mrs Gaskell, Sir Isaac Newton and recently Tim Berner-Lee, inventor of the World Wide Web. John Pound, a Unitarian, founded the first Ragged School in Portsmouth, teaching people without education to be cobblers, as well as how to read and write. Many other famous people have been Unitarians over the years.

Westgate Chapel provides its own governance by the local members of its faith community. It remains a church of the people for the people of Lewes and surrounding areas, just as it has always been. In view of this it reflects the beliefs of people who value the tolerance of each other and show love to each other. Religion here is a community that welcomes you for what you are-beliefs, doubts, questions and all. We meet on Sundays to share in silence, discussion, talks, and in music. Our singing however would be greatly enhanced with some one who played a musical instrument joining us. Westgate is the people’s church of Lewes and therefore it needs people to keep it going.

Tucked discreetly away in the Bottleneck of the High Street, you don’t get much of a sense from the outside of how large Westgate Chapel is inside or how historically interesting it is. Westgate is the oldest non-conformist meeting place in this town that has been known to have a high proportion of non-conformity historically. More detailed historical books have been written by former ministers including Jeremy Goring in his Book ‘Burn Holy fire’, which covers the history of religion in Lewes. J.M. Connell wrote a book entitled ‘The story of an old Meeting house’ about Westgate and as the latest Minister at Westgate I feel a short history is needed for today’s generation. I have sought to make this web booklet less to do with ecclesiology and more about simple understanding of a faith passed on from generation to generation, by the people and for the people of the Lewes areas.

Rev Andie Camper M.A.
Minister Associated with
Westgate Chapel

Do get in touch if you would like to look around this interesting building. I am always happy to show people this interesting place of Worship.