St Nicholas' Chapel, Chester
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
St Nicholas' Chapel, Chester is a former chapel in St Werburgh Street, Chester, Cheshire, England (grid reference 406664). Since it ceased functioning as a chapel it has had a number of uses, including being at one time a theatre. It is now a shop and is a Grade II listed building.[1]
[edit] History
The chapel was built around 1300 for Simon de Albo, the abbot of St Werburgh's, Chester. It was used for a period as the church of the parish of St Oswald, then closed as a church and conveyed to the Mayor and Assembly of Chester in 1488. In 1545 an upper floor was inserted and it was used as the Commonhall and Wool Hall. The building was used for staging plays from around 1750, then further converted as the New Theatre in 1773 and the Theatre Royal in 1777–78. James Harrison modified it again into a hall for concerts and entertainments in 1854–55, when it was known as the Music Hall. During the 20th century it has been used as a cinema, then a supermarket, and it is currently a shop.[1]
[edit] Structure
It is built in sandstone and brick with grey slate gabled roofs in two storeys.[1] Some medieval stonework remains on the south side. The Gothic style front is by James Harrison.[2]
[edit] Notes
- ^ a b c Images of England: 32 and 34 Northgate Street, Chester. English Heritage. Retrieved on 2008-01-14.
- ^ Pevsner, Nikolaus; Edward Hubbard [1971] (2003). The Buildings of England: Cheshire. New Haven: Yale University Press, 162–163. ISBN 0 300 09588 0.
