Dissenters' Chapel, Kensal Green
Encyclopedia
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, and is under the care of the Historic Chapels Trust.
chapel to be built in a public cemetery. The eastern spur of the cemetery was reserved for the use of dissenter
s. 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
. Griffith was surveyor to the General Cemetery Company, and his design was in Greek revival
style. The chapel was built between 1831 and 1834.
During the 20th century the fabric of the chapel was deteriorating. Its wings were demolished in the early 1970s. By the 1990s the building was "derelict and subject to vandalism". 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.
and is a conservation area
. The cemetery contains a large number of listed buildings in addition to the Dissenters' Chapel. 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 pilaster
s 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.
Redundant church
A redundant church is a church building that is no longer required for regular public worship. The phrase is particularly used to refer to former Anglican buildings in the United Kingdom, but may refer to any disused church building around the world...
chapel in Kensal Green Cemetery
Kensal Green Cemetery
Kensal Green Cemetery is a cemetery in Kensal Green, in the west of London, England. It was immortalised in the lines of G. K. Chesterton's poem The Rolling English Road from his book The Flying Inn: "For there is good news yet to hear and fine things to be seen; Before we go to Paradise by way of...
, Kensal Green
Kensal Green
Kensal Green, also referred to as Kensal Rise is an area of London, England. It is located on the southern edge of the London Borough of Brent and borders the City of Westminster to the East and the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea to the South....
, London. It has been designated by English Heritage
English Heritage
English Heritage . is an executive non-departmental public body of the British Government sponsored by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport...
as a Grade II* listed building, and is under the care of the Historic Chapels Trust.
History
The chapel was the first purpose-built NonconformistNonconformism
Nonconformity is the refusal to "conform" to, or follow, the governance and usages of the Church of England by the Protestant Christians of England and Wales.- Origins and use:...
chapel to be built in a public cemetery. The eastern spur of the cemetery was reserved for the use of dissenter
Dissenter
The term dissenter , labels one who disagrees in matters of opinion, belief, etc. In the social and religious history of England and Wales, however, it refers particularly to a member of a religious body who has, for one reason or another, separated from the Established Church.Originally, the term...
s. A competition to build the chapel was won by Henry Edward Kendall, with a design in Gothic
Gothic architecture
Gothic architecture is a style of architecture that flourished during the high and late medieval period. It evolved from Romanesque architecture and was succeeded by Renaissance architecture....
style. However the contract was awarded to John Griffith of Finsbury
Finsbury
Finsbury is a district of central London, England. It lies immediately north of the City of London and Clerkenwell, west of Shoreditch, and south of Islington and City Road. It is in the south of the London Borough of Islington. The Finsbury Estate is in the western part of the district...
. Griffith was surveyor to the General Cemetery Company, and his design was in Greek revival
Greek Revival architecture
The Greek Revival was an architectural movement of the late 18th and early 19th centuries, predominantly in Northern Europe and the United States. A product of Hellenism, it may be looked upon as the last phase in the development of Neoclassical architecture...
style. The chapel was built between 1831 and 1834.
During the 20th century the fabric of the chapel was deteriorating. Its wings were demolished in the early 1970s. By the 1990s the building was "derelict and subject to vandalism". 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
Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea
The Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea is a central London borough of Royal borough status. After the City of Westminster, it is the wealthiest borough in England....
in 1997, and in 1998, a Europa Nostra
Europa Nostra
Europa Nostra, the pan-European Federation for Cultural Heritage, is the representative platform of 250 heritage NGOs active in 45 countries across Europe...
Award.
Architecture and setting
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 GardensNational Register of Historic Parks and Gardens
In England, the Register of Historic Parks and Gardens of special historic interest in England provides a listing and classification system for historic parks and gardens similar to that used for listed buildings. The register is managed by English Heritage under the provisions of the National...
and is a conservation area
Conservation Area (United Kingdom)
In the United Kingdom, the term Conservation Area nearly always applies to an area considered worthy of preservation or enhancement because of its special architectural or historic interest, "the character or appearance of which it is desirable to preserve or enhance," as required by the Planning ...
. The cemetery contains a large number of listed buildings in addition to the Dissenters' Chapel. The chapel is constructed in Portland stone
Portland stone
Portland stone is a limestone from the Tithonian stage of the Jurassic period quarried on the Isle of Portland, Dorset. The quarries consist of beds of white-grey limestone separated by chert beds. It has been used extensively as a building stone throughout the British Isles, notably in major...
and rendered
Stucco
Stucco or render is a material made of an aggregate, a binder, and water. Stucco is applied wet and hardens to a very dense solid. It is used as decorative coating for walls and ceilings and as a sculptural and artistic material in architecture...
brick. At the front is an Ionic
Ionic order
The Ionic order forms one of the three orders or organizational systems of classical architecture, the other two canonic orders being the Doric and the Corinthian...
tetrastyle portico with a pediment
Pediment
A pediment is a classical architectural element consisting of the triangular section found above the horizontal structure , typically supported by columns. The gable end of the pediment is surrounded by the cornice moulding...
. On each side of the portico are three-bay
Bay (architecture)
A bay is a unit of form in architecture. This unit is defined as the zone between the outer edges of an engaged column, pilaster, or post; or within a window frame, doorframe, or vertical 'bas relief' wall form.-Defining elements:...
wings, with paired pilaster
Pilaster
A pilaster is a slightly-projecting column built into or applied to the face of a wall. Most commonly flattened or rectangular in form, pilasters can also take a half-round form or the shape of any type of column, including tortile....
s 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.