| Dissenters' Chapel, Kensal Green | |
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Dissenters' Chapel,
Kensal Green Cemetery |
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| OS grid reference: | TQ 239 824 |
| Built: | 1831–34 |
| Built for: | General Cemetery Company |
| Rebuilt: | 1997 |
| Restored by: | Historic Chapels Trust |
| Architect: | John Griffith |
| Architectural style(s): | Neoclassical |
| Governing body: | Friends of Kensal Green Cemetery |
| Listed Building – Grade II* | |
| Designated: | 15 April 1969 |
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Location in Greater London
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Dissenters' Chapel, Kensal Green, is a redundant chapel in Kensal Green Cemetery, Kensal Green, London. It has been designated by English Heritage as a Grade II* listed building,[1] and is under the care of the Historic Chapels Trust.[2]
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The chapel was the first purpose-built Nonconformist chapel to be built in a public cemetery.[1] The eastern spur of the cemetery was reserved for the use of dissenters.[3] A competition to build the chapel was won by Henry Edward Kendall, with a design in Gothic style. However the contract was awarded to John Griffith of Finsbury.[3] Griffith was surveyor to the General Cemetery Company, and his design was in Greek revival style.[4] The chapel was built between 1831 and 1834.[1]
During the 20th century the fabric of the chapel was deteriorating. Its wings were demolished in the early 1970s.[1] By the 1990s the building was "derelict and subject to vandalism".[5] The building came under the care of the Historic Chapels Trust and a major restoration was completed in 1997. This included rebuilding of the wings, repair of the chapel's main body, and restoration of the historic painting scheme of the interior. A visitor centre was constructed in the north wing. The restoration was awarded an Environment Award from the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea in 1997, and in 1998, a Europa Nostra Award.[2]
Kensal Green Cemetery is London's oldest public cemetery, dating from 1832. It is a listed Grade II* on the National Register of Historic Parks and Gardens and is a conservation area. The cemetery contains a large number of listed buildings in addition to the Dissenters' Chapel.[2] The chapel is constructed in Portland stone and rendered brick. At the front is an Ionic tetrastyle portico with a pediment. On each side of the portico are three-bay wings, with paired pilasters along the front, and twin Ionic columns in the antae at the sides. Inside the chapel are modern pews, a pulpit and a reading desk. Along the east wall are pilasters. Under the chapel is a partly sealed catacomb.[1][3]
The chapel is maintained by the Friends of Kensal Green Cemetery, It is used for funerals, events, open days, evening lectures, and exhibitions. The chapel forms the conclusion of the tour of the cemetery organised by the Friends.[3]