Bridport's Chapel in the Garden is launching a £350,000 anniversary fundraising appeal to ensure it will be here in years to come.

The Grade II* listed building is raising funds to address structural and building issues, as well as substantial maintenance and decorative matters. In the first instance a major damp course.

Three hundred and fifty years ago in 1672, dissenters in Bridport held their first legal meeting on May 1, led by the preacher, Richard Downe, and on Sunday, May 1, 2022, it will be commemorating 350 years since the first dissenting religious service was held there.

Sir Philip Colfox, trustee of the Chapel, said: "The founding families of the current chapel, built in 1798, include many of the leading business families of the town - Gundry, Hounsell and Colfox. A great many other local families were involved, with 400 seats provided in the chapel and a thriving school which lasted for over 100 years.

"So, we hope this support, shown by the town in the establishment of our chapel, will be reflected again by the townsfolk, newcomers as well s old established families in their recognition of the important role the chapel played in our history and is still offering a spiritual and social sanctuary to all."

Everyone is welcome to the service of celebration on May 1 in the chapel at 11am, led by the Reverend Elizabeth Harley, the chapel's minister, which will be followed by a shared lunch.

There will be an opportunity to view an exhibition about the story of the chapel and at 2pm a short talk about the Unitarian faith and the chapel itself will be given by the minister. This is an opportunity to learn more about the history and celebrate its role in the community.

The Chapel in the Garden holds a weekly service on Sundays at 11am and everyone, whatever their beliefs, is welcome. On Fridays at 6pm there is half an hour of sanctuary with music, poetry and prayer.

The chapel is known for its outreach work, from the Bridport Community Fridge that offers surplus food from supermarkets to all, to a chapel café on Wednesdays and Saturdays.

The team is aiming to raise £350,000 over the next two years to help this work in the neighbourhood grow and are asking for donations of variables of 350 - 3.5p, £3.50, £35, £350, possibly even £3,500.

A spokesman said: "Whatever can be afforded would be gratefully received.

"The money will be held in a special reserve for building works. The chapel trustees have set aside £10,000 of reserves to start the fund off and will allocate more is surplus monies becomes available."

If wished, donations can be made anonymously by contacting David Willis at [email protected]