- Dissenters' Chapel, Kensal Green
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Coordinates: 51°31′37″N 0°12′57″W / 51.5269°N 0.2159°W
Dissenters' Chapel, Kensal Green 
Dissenters' Chapel,
Kensal Green CemeteryOS 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: Friends of Kensal Green Cemetery Listed Building – Grade II* Designated: 15 April 1969 
Location in Greater LondonDissenters' 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,[1] and is under the care of the Historic Chapels Trust.[2]
Contents
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 20th century the fabric of the chapel was deteriorating. Its wings were demolished in the early 1970s.[1] By the 1990s the building was "derelict and subject to vandalism".[5] 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.[2]
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 Gardens 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 maintained 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
- List of chapels preserved by the Historic Chapels Trust
References
- ^ a b c d e "The Dissenters' Chapel, Kensington", The National Heritage List for England (English Heritage), 2011, http://list.english-heritage.org.uk/resultsingle.aspx?uid=1080628, retrieved 17 May 2011
- ^ a b c The Dissenters' Chapel, Kensal Green Cemetery, Historic Chapels Trust, http://www.hct.org.uk/chapels/london/dissenters-chapel-kensal-green-cemetery/12, retrieved 7 July 2010
- ^ a b c d Kensal Green Cemetery: Monuments, The Friends of Kensal Green Cemetery, http://www.kensalgreen.co.uk/, retrieved 7 July 2010
- ^ Friends of Kensal Green accessed 17 July 2010
- ^ Dissenters’ Chapel, Kensal Green Cemetery, The Heritage Alliance, http://www.heritagelink.org.uk/dissenters-chapel-kensal-green-cemetery/, retrieved 7 July 2010
Categories:- Grade II* listed buildings in London
- Religious buildings completed in 1834
- 19th-century church buildings
- Protestant congregations established in the 19th century
- Neoclassical architecture
- Religious buildings completed in 1997
- Churches preserved by the Historic Chapels Trust
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