Work to save 17th Century chapel to start

The future of a 17th Century chapel looked more promising after funding to start significant repairs was found.

The Grade II listed Walpole Old Chapel, near Halesworth, Suffolk - previously described as a "historic gem" by Historic England - has major structural issues.

Historic Chapels Trust (HCT), which owns the chapel, has now announced that funding has been found that would enable it to repair the building in April.

Chris Smith, chair of trustees for HCT, said it had been "long-awaited" while Simon Weeks, secretary of Friends of Walpole Old Chapel (FWOC) added it had been "10 years in development".

In 2022, the chapel was granted £54,000 from Historic England to carry out an urgent inspection led by FWOC, which wants to eventually take over the site's ownership.

Cracks had appeared that allowed water to seep into the timber frame, putting it at risk of falling down.

The building looks like a traditional farmhouse and is believed to have been a dwelling before being used as a congregation chapel in 1649.

HCT's repair work, which is expected to start in April, has been funded from the government's Cultural Assets Fund, distributed by the National Heritage Memorial Fund.

Up to £374,400 has been allocated for the first phase of the repair work to the timber frame and rendering to two elevations of the building.

FWOC said the works would cost just over £400,000, and the shortfall would be picked up by "residual" funds from grants and donations held by both them and HCT.

The second phase of the project will include re-rendering other elevations on the site, but it was not expected to take place until April 2027, FWOC said.

Applications for funding will be submitted at a later date.

"We look ahead with confidence to both the completion of the whole project and to this wonderful chapel's long-term future in the sure hands of FWOC," Mr Smith said.

Mr Weeks added it was "fantastic news".

"We would like to thank all the people and organisations who have donated so generously and worked hard to get us to this point," he said.

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