Historic chapel restoration given £400k funding boost

A historic chapel which is being converted into a community hub and arts space has been given a £400,000 funding boost.

The grant from Historic England will be spent on the final repairs to the 18th-century Whitfield Tabernacle in Kingswood, near Bristol, which could reopen at the end of 2026.

The Grade I-listed chapel, recognised as one of the oldest surviving buildings of the early Methodist movement, has been derelict since a fire ripped through it 25 years ago.

Reverend Anthony Hick, chair of Whitfield Tabernacle Trust, said: "This additional funding will mean that some items which had been cut from our plans due to rising costs will now be able to be put back in."

The money will be spent on flooring, reinstating the balcony level inside the chapel and restoring the west range - an extension to the building which will be used as a café.

"This grant will enable us to fulfil more of the ambitious vision we have developed over the past 10 years for this heritage building," Hick added.

Built in 1741, the chapel was used as a base for preacher George Whitefield, one of the most important figures in Methodism, a non-conformist movement.

The Whitfield Tabernacle Trust acquired the building in 2019 and completed the first phase of repairs in 2022.

But there were delays in finishing the works due to issues with transferring land ownership documents.

The final phase will see it removed from the Heritage at Risk Register and used as an educational, performance and community arts venue.

Kim Scudamore, secretary to the trust, said: "This extra funding we have received from Historic England will give us a building that will be a community asset, although we will continue to seek funding for the furniture and fit-out items that we will need to fully meet our vision."

Trust leaders hope the building will be finished by the end of 2026.

Follow BBC Bristol on Facebook, X and Instagram. Send your story ideas to us on email or via WhatsApp on 0800 313 4630.