Former chapel reborn as heritage venue

REFURBISHMENT of the historic George Street Chapel is almost complete: now all the building needs is a new name.

Age UK Oldham has brought the historic building back to life with a £950,000 Heritage Lottery grant.

The 1815 building — one of the oldest Methodist chapels in the world — is expected to reopen early next year as a heritage, wedding and education venue.

Chief executive Yvonne Lee said: “We would like some help to develop a new identity for George Street Chapel, which respects its history but looks to its future.” The organisation isn’t allowed to use the word chapel or any religious connotation in the new name.

The chapel’s slate roof is being completely replaced and the historic flag-stone floor lifted and relaid.

The original chapel organ, installed in the 1830s, will also be fully restored and refurbished.