The Chapel in the Garden has welcomed its first Unitarian woman minister.

The Rev. Elizabeth Harley has been ordained at the East Street chapel.

She had been the Lay Leader for the past eight years, but following a three-year course at the Unitarian Collage, she had successfully passed all the exams as was ready to be welcomed at the Chapel as the minister.

A special valedictory service was held at the chapel and attended by her course director Helen Mason and assessor Rev. Michael Dadson, to formally present her with her certificate of acceptance.

Margie Barbour led the service and trustee Roger Lake formally accepted Elizabeth as the new minister. Angelica Kennard read a powerful prayer and Angie Porter created an original ritual with water from the River brit, which was poured into the bronze font.

The service also included prayers, readings, a story by Elizabeth's husband - Rev. John Harley, minister of the Bristol Unitarian Chapel - and a range of songs. The congregation joined in with Jane Silver Corren, dressed as a carrot, as she strummed on the ukulele and sang, 'Woke Up This Morning With The Sun In My Heart', and Joey Clarkson who played guitar and sand 'True Colours' and 'Top Of The World' to close the service."

Elizabeth Harley said: "There have been Unitarians in Bridport for over 350 years, so it felt like a piece of history to be welcomed as the first Unitarian woman to be minister at the chapel. Interestingly, there have been Unitarian women Ministers in the UK since 1904 but Bridport somehow missed out.

"Ministry training with Unitarian College has been a really wonderful opportunity to deepen my faith and to get to know this congregation even better. Even during Covid we organised Zoom services but it means so much to me to have this service here in the chapel, with so many of my family, friends and members of the congregation here to share this day with me."

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