THE Unitarian Chapel on Cairo Street has been making history for hundreds of years.

Based in the heart of the town centre, the chapel was the first place of worship in Warrington to be granted a heterosexual marriage licence more than three centuries ago.

Fast forward to 2015, the minister Rev Lynne Readett has welcomed the news that it is the first chapel in the town to be issued with a same sex marriage licence.

She said: “The law and society in general has reached the conclusion that all people should be able to marry and this Unitarian chapel believes that marriage should be for all people too.

“Anyone wishing to get married here, heterosexual or same sex will be warmly welcomed by the minister and support team.”

Rev Readett has been at the forefront of the chapel’s same sex marriage licence application.

This is down to her strong belief in encouraging equality throughout the congregation and the wider community.

She said: “The beautiful building and lovely churchyard are filled with historical interest dating back 300 years.

“People such as Elizabeth Gaskell the novelist, Frederick Monks, who gave Warrington the famous Golden Gates, and Joseph Priestley, who discovered oxygen and after whom the town college is named, were all closely linked with the chapel.

“But although Cairo Street Unitarian Chapel is one of Warrington’s oldest houses of worship it is also most modern in its outlook and tolerance.”

Rev Readett added that the church is open to everyone - regardless of age, belief or background.

She believes it is this diversity that enriches people’s minds.

Services run on the first and third Sundays of each month beginning at 3pm.

Meditation classes are also held on Thursdays at 8pm.

Rev Readett said: “Our aim is to provide a spiritual focus so much needed in these busy times.

“Our hope is that others may wish to do the same and walk through our doors.”