The society by whom this building was erected originated in 1662 (seven years after the founding of the Independent church), under the Rev. John WHITLOCK, vicar of St. Mary's, and the Rev. John BARRETT, of St. Peter's, Nottingham, who had been ejected for nonconformity. The church, which was Presbyterian, first met for worship secretly in a vault at the top of Drury hill; then in a house at the end of Pilcher gate; and afterwards in a place in St. Mary's gate, which was in consequence commonly called "Little St. Mary's."

The first chapel on the present site was built in 1690-91. This building was in great part taken down, except the outer walls, in 1804, and opened again for Divine worship in 1805. It is capable of seating 800, and there are from 300 to 400 seatholders - the whole of congregation, including the schools, amounting to 500. Service is celebrated in the morning and evening of Sunday, there being occasional, but not regular, services during the week. The church government is nominally Presbyterian, but the affairs of the society are really managed by trustees, two chapel wardens, and the whole of the subscribers in vestry assembled. There is a day school for 80 boys and 90 girls, established in 1788. The Sunday schools contain 236 boys and 240 girls; male teachers 41, female 33.

The famous DODDRIDGE was a candidate for the pulpit, which was vacant, when a young man and before he had settled down at Northampton. The members of the church in its infant years included some of the oldest families in the town. The Earls of MEATH, CLARE, KINGSTONE were attached to the society. So were the PLUMPTRES, the PIERREPONTS, and the SHERWINS. Sir John MUSTERS of Colwick hall, was a cordial friend; and his house was ever an asylum for the persecuted ministers of God. Mr. REYNOLDS died in 1697, and Mr.WHITLOCK in 1708. The latter lies buried in the chancel of St. Mary's church. Mr. WHITLOCK's funeral sermon was preached by his son, the Rev. John WHITLOCK, who succeeded him. Dr. Samuel EATON, a presbyterian, was pastor in 1750; the Rev. George WALKER, in 1798. He was succeeded by the Rev. James TAYLOR, who had the Rev. Joseph HUTTON as assistant. The present minister, the Rev. B. CARPENTER, was in 1822 appointed colleague with the late Rev. James TAYLOR, and since 1831 he has been the sole pastor.

Societies in connexion with the church: fellowship fund, to afford aid to necessitous churches towards the erection of schools, chapels, &c.; benevolent or sick societies not confined to members of the church. There is a chapel and also a school library, and a young men's mutual improvement society.

There is a good organ in the chapel, built by ELLIOTT of London, and erected by voluntary contribution in December, 1815. The psalms and hymns of Dr. WATTS were used in this chapel till about twenty years ago, when they gave way to another selection introduced by MR. CARPENTER. Two material changes have taken place in this church since its foundation. The doctrine of the early Presbyterians has been exchanged for Unitarianism: and the form of church government has become really congregational. An erroneous supposition haunts many minds that Presbyterians must necessarily be Unitarians, whereas in Scotland no Presbyterian differs in any essential point from a member of the church of England.

Joseph JAMES, by a will dated 1715, left a house and lands producing £3 yearly, towards the maintenance of a Presbyterian minister "residing in Nottingham or elsewhere." In 1828 the amount had increased to £18, and was divided among two dissenting ministers and sixteen poor persons.