Dissenters' Chapel, Kensal Green

Dissenters' Chapel, Kensal Green

Dissenters' Chapel,
Kensal Green Cemetery
Coordinates 51°31′37″N 0°12′57″W / 51.5269°N 0.2159°W / 51.5269; -0.2159Coordinates: 51°31′37″N 0°12′57″W / 51.5269°N 0.2159°W / 51.5269; -0.2159
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 Historic Chapels Trust
Listed Building – Grade II*
Designated 15 April 1969
Location in Greater London

Dissenters' Chapel, Kensal Green, is a redundant chapel in Kensal Green Cemetery, Kensal Green, London. It is recorded in the National Heritage List for England as a designated Grade II* listed building,[1] and is under the care of the Historic Chapels Trust.[2]

History

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 Second World War the Chapel suffered severe bomb damage during an air raid. For much of the late half of the 20th century the fabric of the chapel was slowly deteriorating. Its wings were demolished in the early 1970s.[1] By the 1990s the building was "derelict and subject to vandalism".[5]

The building was leased to the Historic Chapels Trust in this poor state to enable a major restoration, 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] On completion Historic Chapels Trust passed day-to-day management of the chapel to the Friends of Kensal Green Cemetery.

Architecture and setting

Kensal Green Cemetery is London's oldest public cemetery, dating from 1832. It is a listed at Grade I on the National Register of Historic Parks and Gardens,[6] 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]

Present day

The chapel is managed 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]

See also

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 Historic England, "The Dissenters' Chapel, Kensington (1080628)", National Heritage List for England, retrieved 12 July 2013
  2. 1 2 3 The Dissenters' Chapel, Kensal Green Cemetery, Historic Chapels Trust, retrieved 7 July 2010
  3. 1 2 3 4 Kensal Green Cemetery: Monuments, The Friends of Kensal Green Cemetery, retrieved 7 July 2010
  4. ↑ The Architectural Competition, Friends of Kensal Green Cemetery, retrieved 12 July 2013
  5. ↑ Dissenters’ Chapel, Kensal Green Cemetery, The Heritage Alliance, retrieved 7 July 2010
  6. ↑ Historic England, "Kensal Green (All Souls) Cemetery (1000817)", National Heritage List for England, retrieved 12 July 2013
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