Assisting the cause of education was important for this congregation.  In addition to a successful Sunday School, they established a Morning School and Afternoon School in the mid-1800’s.

The church was also active in the wider community, running missions from several locations in town.  Various of its members were also involved in civic life - Thomas and George Dawbarn served as Mayor of Wisbech in the 1800’s and Alfred Southwell served in this capacity three times in the early 1900’s.

Those who did not share Wright’s Unitarian beliefs moved to Ship Lane (now Hill Street) opening a new chapel under their pastor, Samuel Fisher, in 1793. The new church flourished and Fisher was even commended by the then Prime Minister, William Pitt, for one of his published sermons.

Artist’s impression of the early Hill Street Chapel

In 1859 the present building was erected in the place of the old chapel at a cost of some £4000.  Built from stone quarried locally and from the remains of the old town bridge, the new building could seat 600.  Music was an important feature of church life, with much use being made of the organ and high standards of choral performances.

Hill Street Chapel today