Union Chapel was established in 1815 for public worship by Protestant Dissenters from the Church of England and as a school-house intended for those holding doctrines as published in London in 1689.

The term 'Dissenter' is a general term used to describe those who separate themselves from the established or national church on grounds of conscience. In England the term covered Presbyterians, Congregationalists Baptists and Roman Catholics. The term was widely used between 1662 and 1850 but was then replaced by the term 'Non-conformist'.

This movement became established in the 17th Century when growing numbers of people believed that it was their duty to separate from the Church of England if they saw anything in it that displeased them. They had a tendency to put 'Spirit's guidance' before the Bible, tradition, or church law. The idea of Dissent grew under the influence of the Puritans and Oliver Cromwell, and appealed particularly to ordinary people.

When the monarchy was restored, life became more difficult for dissenters as monarchy was inextricably linked to the Church of England. Religious belief and practice was restricted under the Act of Uniformity (1662) and the Conventicle Act (1664). Penalties for dissenting groups and individuals were severe. Life became easier again after William of Orange became King, through the Act of Toleration (1689) although this did not grant full religious liberty. It removed the punishment but not the stigma of being a Dissenter. Validity continued to be required for non-conformist weddings and funerals for a while, and they were forced to pay local rates for the upkeep of parish churches until 1868, and they were excluded from degrees at Oxford and Cambridge universities until 1871. Up to this time and beyond, Dissenters (or non-conformists) were usually drawn from the lower end of the social class spectrum - the working and lower middle classes, and this was reflected in their political affiliations. For example many Chartists were Christians but were not drawn from the established church. Indeed there became a distinction within the working class - the 'chapel working class' whose priorities were family, self- improvement and Sunday school education and the 'brute working class' who were considered less civilised.