Hale Barns Unitarians
hale barns
hale chapel
welcome to
hale barns unitarians
Hale Barns Unitarians believe in an open-minded and welcoming approach to faith. Hence we believe in encouraging individual freedom, equality for all and rational thought. There is no list of things that Unitarians must believe: instead, we think everyone has the right to reach their own world view.
We see different opinions and lifestyles as valuable and enriching, and as such, don’t discriminate on grounds of gender age, race, religion or sexual orientation. Although Unitarianism has its roots in Jewish and Christian traditions, it is however, open to insights from all faiths, science and perspectives from around the world.
about us
services
The Hale Barns Unitarians weekly service takes place every Sunday at 9.30am. Of course, visitors are always welcome to attend the service and join the chapel congregation for refreshments afterwards. Services take inspiration from the Christian calendar, as well as world events and topical thought.
Hale Barns Unitarians seek to provide a space where people can come as they are, while preventing people feeling pressured to participate outside their level of comfort. Overall, we want to be a place where you can come, without regard to age, sex, sexual orientation, gender or any other identity one may hold.
unitarians proudly provide same-sex marriages!
We proudly provide same-sex marriages at Hale Chapel! Get in touch with us today for more information.
the chapel
The Hale Barns Unitarians meet at Hale Chapel. The chapel is located on Chapel Lane, Hale Barns, and was built in 1723 before operating as a Presbyterian meeting house. It is a Grade II listed building.
our minister
rev. jeff gould
Rev Jeff Gould, is a native of Massachusetts in the United States of America, though he has lived in the United Kingdom since 1985. He holds both American and British nationalities. Initially, Jeff trained for a career in the performing arts, and then began his training for ministry in his undergraduate years. He then read towards a degree in Religious Studies from Brown University in Providence, Rhode Island. Thereafter, Jeff lived and worked in the San Francisco Bay Area, where he was involved in the life of the First Unitarian Church of San Francisco. Furthermore, Jeff served on the staff of the Church Divinity School of the Pacific (an Anglican theological college). Additionally, he lead chaplaincies in the San Francisco County Jail and San Francisco General Hospital.
Jeff trained for the ministry of the General Assembly of Unitarian and Free Christian Churches at Manchester College, Oxford. Subsequently, he took a degree in Theology from the University of Oxford. He served student pastorates in London, Northern Ireland as well as Taunton, Somerset. Jeff has held a variety of offices within the General Assembly at the district and national levels, and has also served congregations in Liverpool, Cheshire and Lancashire.
Jeff has recently returned to the joint ministry of Hale Chapel, Hale Barns as well as Dean Row Chapel, Wilmslow, where he previously served from January 1999 until February 2007. His main contribution is currently made through his role as the Events Officer of the Unitarian Christian Association. Rambling, swimming, and weight-lifting keep Jeff physically active, while Jeff devotes a good deal of his time to ecumenical and inter-faith efforts. Finally, Jeff has a passion for learning languages, and uses leisure time in improving his French, German and Italian
get in touch
rev. jeff gould
minister
helen wilson
secretary
