| Rook Lane Chapel | |
|---|---|
Frontal view of the chapel after renovation |
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| General information | |
| Location | Frome, Somerset, England |
| Construction started | 1705 |
| Completed | 1707 |
Rook Lane Chapel was a place of worship, and is now an arts centre, in Frome, Somerset, England.
Built in 1707, the chapel was the place of worship for nonconformists, however congregations dwindled and it closed in the 1960s.[1] It was sold to developers but they were unable to get planning permission for proposed future uses. Lead and tiles were stolen from the roof, vandals broke in, smashed all the memorials and brought down the gallery.
It was bought by the Somerset Buildings Preservation Trust who, with help from a grant from English Heritage, restored the grade I listed building.[2] It is now owned by a firm of architects who converted the Chapel into a community facility for exhibitions, receptions, meetings and concerts on the ground floor. The galleried upper floor is used as office space.
The building was square with two pillars supporting the roof and a gallery around three sides. There are two tiers of seven windows, and a central pediment spanning five windows. Side lobbies were added in a matching style in 1862 for stairs to the gallery. Over the main door is the inscription "Keep thy foot when thou goest to the House of God".[2] There is a domed roof structure which is still intact. It is said that this chapel was locally known as "The Cupola".