The first chapel near the site of this chapel was built in 1708 and it is understood that this was largely built under Presbyterian leadership. The present Unitarian chapel opened in 1848 and it is stone built in a style that is partly Early English consisting of a nave with north and south aisles and a long chancel. The imposing tower and spire rise to the height of 145 feet. It was erected in 1846/48 and the architects were Bowman and Crowther of Manchester (Henry Bowman and Joseph Stretch Crowther).

It is the first Noncomformist chapel to be built in the style of a Church of England Church and it is listed Grade II, List Entry No. 1068046.

Revd Henry Enfield Dowson
The Revd Henry Enfield Dowson BA (23 Nov 1837–20 Aug 1925) came to Hyde Chapel in 1867 and for 51 years he was the minister there and for another seven years he was the minister emeritus. He was resident at the parsonage on Stockport Rd, Gee Cross.

He was a greatly respected citizen of Hyde and in 1917 he was awarded an Honorary Freeman of the Borough of Hyde. This is the highest honour that a Borough can bestow. Although it carries no privileges and is purely an honour, it recognises the significant and valuable services rendered to the Borough by him. Furthermore, Dowson Rd is named after him. There is a bust of him in Hyde Chapel that was sculpted by Alice Lindley-Millican and he was buried in the chapel rather than in the church graveyard.

Revd Henry Enfield Dowson.