Historic chapel project gets £100,000 aid

A CAMPAIGN to rescue one of Oldham’s most historic buildings has been given a much-needed cash injection of £100,000.

The funding will go towards the creation of an inter-generational community centre at the George Street Methodist Chapel. The disused Grade II listed building was added to the “Heritage at Risk” register in 2011.

A grant of £51,800 from the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) in April kick-started Age Concern’s bid to bring the chapel back to life as a venue for functions and meetings.

The money will be used to finalise the details of restoration plans and help secure additional funding over the next two years.

The chapel was built in 1815 by a group of friends. Many of the members were hatters. A key feature of the chapel is a collection of wooden pegs for members to hang their hats on.

Age Concern, who started a consultation over the future of the chapel earlier this year, bought the Grade II listed building in 2003 with a view to repairing and restoring it.

The chapel, which has stood in Oldham for almost 200 years, is seen as a key piece of the borough’s heritage.

Dr Simon Thurley, chief executive of English Heritage, said: “As well as providing a financial kick-start, the Challenge Fund will also help to spread skills and experience to more people at local level.

“The result should be more historic buildings at risk finding a new use and once more lending character and dignity to their neighbourhoods.”

The chapel is one of three UK historic buildings to be handed regeneration funding in the form of grants from the Challenge Fund, a £2 million fund comprising of £1 million from the Andrew Lloyd Webber Foundation matched by English Heritage and administered by the Architectural Heritage Fund.

Age Concern Oldham (ACO) said it was delighted with the funding, although it’s on condition of match funding from the HLF. It was described as a huge boost to the project as well as staff and volunteers’ spirits.

Annika Dawson, chapel project co-ordinator said: “ACO very much welcome the confidence in the chapel project that has been shown by the success in what was a very competitive bidding process and would like to thank the Andrew Lloyd Webber Foundation, English Heritage and the Architectural Fund for their support.

“The charity has been working on this project for almost eight years and has never given up hope of restoring this fine building.

“We have some exciting ideas which will make this former chapel a real focus for the whole community.

“It’s fantastic to know others think your hard work is worthwhile.”

Chief executive Yvonne Lee added: “This grant will help ensure that we can see all of our plans through to fruition.

“To say that everyone connected with ACO is delighted is an understatement — we are all ecstatic.”