District Service at Gateacre Chapel

11 May 2026

It was a real delight to welcome Rev. Jean Bradley and Rev. Alex Bradley to lead this year’s Annual Merseyside and District Missionary Association Service.

Each year, one of our chapels has the wonderful opportunity to host this gathering, and this year the service was held at Gateacre Chapel, a beautiful and historic building, with roots reaching back to 1700.

Rev. Alex Bradley and Rev. Jean Bradley, Co-Presidents of the General Assembly of Unitarian and Free Christian Churches, took their inspiration from a little book called Walking Together, written by Anne Holt of Ullet Road Church. The book traces the story of Ullet Road Church from the 17th century through to the early 20th century.

Their message gently reminded us that the Divine, God, the Holy, the Sacred, is not confined to one particular place, but is found among people: in community, in companionship, in walking together, being together, and doing together.

The chapel was filled with warm fellowship, heartfelt singing, and the wonderful sound of the organ, beautifully played by Colin, who kindly stepped in to support us.

After the service, we made our way across to the Gateacre Institute, where a generous spread of food had been prepared and shared.

It was a lovely, gentle, and nourishing afternoon in the south of Liverpool, a reminder of the grace found when people simply come together in kindness, history, and shared spirit.

Rev. Phil Waldron

Photos taken by Phil Waldron