TWO women made history over the weekend when they became the first same sex couple to get married at a church in Padiham.

Elizabeth Pulleyn, 21, and Kimberley Mcphillips, 22, tied the knot at the Unitarian Chapel, Church Street, Padiham, in front of around 100 family, friends and Unitarian congregation members.

Kimberley Pulleyn-Mcphillips wore a suit for the wedding, while Elizabeth Pulleyn-Mcphillips, a former Oakhill College student, wore a white dress.

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The ceremony was conducted by Minister, the Rev Jim Corrigall, who said he was proud to have performed his first same sex marriage.

Rev Corrigall said: “It was great. It went very well.

“I praised the young women for their openness, being who they are and their courage in daring to be the first.

“I said they should be delighted and I praised their family for supporting them. Love was the winner on Saturday.

“I was very proud to preside over the ceremony and it was the first same sex marriage I had done. I am proud of my church for recognising equality.

“Unitarians played a leading role in campaigns for equal marriage, alongside the Quakers and Liberal Jews, and we are delighted this fight succeeded.

“Unitarians have long championed tolerance and social justice.

“We’ve had women ministers for over 100 years, and we’ve been performing blessings for same-sex couples for more than 30 years.”

Legislation to allow equal marriage came into effect in 2014 in England, Wales and Scotland.

Padiham Unitarian Chapel gained permission to conduct same-sex wedding services last year. It is one of about 60 Unitarian churches and chapels nationally that has this right.

Rev Corrigall, who also also presides over Rawtenstall Unitarian Church, said Padiham has had an expression of interest from another same sex couple about getting married in the church next year.