Early Modern Britain Christopher Hill states that ideas such as
anti-Trinitarianism, which scholars trace back to ancient times, were an integral part of "the lower-class heretical culture which burst into the open in the 16th century". The cornerstones of this culture were
anti-clericalism (opposition to the power of the Church) and a strong emphasis on biblical study, but there were specific heretical doctrines that had "an uncanny persistence". In addition to anti-Trinitarianism, there was a rejection of
predestination and an embrace of
millenarianism,
mortalism, and
hermeticism. Such ideas became "commonplace to 17th century ...
Levellers,
Diggers,
Seekers, ... early
Quakers and other radical groupings which took part in the free-for-all discussions of the
English Revolution". After the
restoration of the Stuart monarchy and the resulting
Act of Uniformity 1662, about 2,000 ministers left the established
Church of England (the
Great Ejection). Following the
Act of Toleration 1689, many of these ministers preached in
non-conforming congregations. The modern Unitarian denomination's origins lay within this group of Protestants, the
English Presbyterians, who were reluctant to become
Dissenters. However, by the late 18th century, the influx of some liberal, Unitarian
General Baptists of the General Assembly of General Baptists to the denomination, with roots to the 17th century Caffynite Controversy, established a direct lineage to this milieu—although by now, much of the heretical culture stigma no longer existed.
19th century Until the passing of the
Unitarian Relief Act in 1813, it was a criminal offence to deny the doctrine of the Trinity. By 1825 a new body, the
British and Foreign Unitarian Association, itself an amalgamation of three previous societies, was set up to co-ordinate denominational activities. However, there was a setback in 1837 when "the Presbyterian / Unitarian members were forced to withdraw from the General Body of Protestant Ministers which, for over a century, had represented the joint interests of the old established nonconformist groups in and around London". Around this time Presbyterian / Unitarian opinion was once again divided about how far the denomination should be associated with the label 'Unitarian'.
James Martineau, a Presbyterian minister formerly based in
Liverpool, pleaded for a 'warmer' religion than the 'critical, cold and untrusting' Unitarianism of his day. In 1881 he helped to found the National Conference of Unitarian, Liberal Christian, Free Christian, Presbyterian and other Non-Subscribing or Kindred Congregations—"a triumph, one might say, of Victorian verbosity. But the length of the name reflected the breadth of Martineau's vision". Thus, from 1881 to the establishment of the GAUFCC, the denomination consisted of "two overlapping circles, one labelled 'Unitarian' and eager for organisation and propaganda, the other rejecting labels and treasuring comprehensiveness. Each side had its own college, its own newspaper and its own hymn book". ==Present day==