Logo

 

Banner Image:   National-News-banner-Purple
Template Mode:   Baptist Times
Icon
    Post     Tweet

Oldest Baptist chapel in UK gets restoration grant

A 15th century Baptist chapel in Tewkesbury, Gloucestershire, will be restored to its former glory thanks to a grant from the Heritage Lottery fund, it was announced on Monday. 
 Old baptist chapel - HLFcopy

The John Moore Museum in Tewkesbury, Gloucestershire has received £189,500 to refurbish the Grade II* listed building which is believed to be the earliest Baptist meeting house in the UK. The project, which will cost £250,000 in total, starts in April and is due to run until May 2018.

Simon Lawton, curator, said: “The Chapel is such a beautiful building and in its way as vital to our local heritage as Tewkesbury Abbey. The Heritage Lottery Fund grant will enable us to give the building a facelift and make it much more user friendly. We’ll also be opening it up for hire to local groups so that the town gets full use of this important, yet hidden, architectural gem.”

The project has taken over two years of planning and consultation with the local community, including the Tewkesbury Baptist Church who own the building and Tewkesbury Borough Council who were the former lease holders. The aim is to repair and restore the building for future generations so that everyone can explore this fascinating part of our national heritage.

The Chapel will have new interpretation, including an exciting computer generated reconstruction of a coded minute book, as well as a bespoke kitchen and toilet. New heating and lighting will be installed too. Later in the year a full programme of educational events will begin.

Nerys Watts, Head of Heritage Lottery Fund South West, said: “We’re delighted to support the John Moore Museum as they bring their historic chapel back into use for the community and visitors to enjoy. We’re particularly impressed by the volunteering and educational opportunities the project offers and the heritage attraction and community space promises to benefit even more people.”

The museum and the chapel are run by The Abbey Lawn Trust, a registered charity with 70 years' experience of preserving historic buildings in Tewkesbury. 
 

Baptist Times, 14/04/2015
    Post     Tweet
'Come Holy Spirit' is our desire as we walk forward, with God leading us
Chris Duffett’s Baptist Assembly paintings have raised donations to support Home Mission and are now in local Baptist churches providing inspiration and reflection
Nationwide Christmas campaign ‘Shine Your Light' seeks 1,000 churches this year
UK churches are being invited to reach 1-million people this December – by taking the Christmas story of ‘comfort and joy’ outside of church walls
Baptist Union Council: October 2024
Baptist Union Council took place 23-24 October at the Hayes Conference Centre in Swanwick, Derbyshire
Project Violet: Council affirms commitments to action
Baptist Union Council receives and affirms the commitments to action on women’s experience of ministry made from across Baptists Together in response to the findings of Project Violet
Collaboration; contextual approaches - first Everyone Everywhere national conference
Collaboration in sharing the gospel and a recognition that contrasting, contextual approaches are all needed to help people encounter Jesus were key themes at the first Everyone Everywhere national conference
Prayer bulletin for very small Baptist churches
A number of small, often rural, Baptist churches are being strengthened in their ministry by an initiative which sees them praying for each other on a regular basis
     Latest News 
    Posted: 26/02/2024