Save the Chapels

Two decaying former Wigan cemetery chapels within a stone’s throw of each other both figure in a new Top 10 of England and Wales’s most endangered Victorian and Edwardian buildings. And the Victorian Society is hoping that by flagging up their plight, it might prompt someone to rescue them. The entry on the 10th annual list published today reads: “On the road on the approach into Ince-in-Makerfield, a small town near Wigan, you pass Ince Cemetery. At the entrance is the old cemetery Lodge, Grade II-listed and charmingly restored. If only the same could be said for the two chapels found in the cemetery itself; also Grade II-listed. “They were designed by Alfred Waterhouse, the architect of the Natural History Museum. Waterhouse won the commission as part of a competition and designed two small Gothic chapels, which unlike the adjoining Lodge, have been left empty and boarded up for many years. “The council is currently looking at costing some temporary, short-term repair works, but the long term future for these beautiful chapels remains decidedly bleak.”

Read more at: http://www.wigantoday.net/news/griff-s-call-to-save-chapels-1-8751285

http://www.victoriansociety.org.uk/news/19th-century-cemetery-chapels-in-ince-in-makerfield-on-2017-top-10-endanger/

They have been left like that for many years, it's such a shame.

Admin wrote:Two decaying former Wigan cemetery chapels ... the old cemetery Lodge ... were designed by Alfred Waterhouse, the architect of the Natural History Museum.

Read more at: http://www.wigantoday.net/news/griff-s-call-to-save-chapels-1-8751285

Closer to home, Alfred Waterhouse also designed The Museum of Wigan Life building and Manchester town hall. (www.wigan.gov.uk)

It is a shame to see the disused cemetery chapels decay, but difficult to imagine who might save them.

Joanne typed

"It is a shame to see the disused cemetery chapels decay, but difficult to imagine who might save them"

Perhaps someone could start a crowdfunding page. It seems to be a popular way of raising funds.

could the christian churches help to rebuild them they have lots of money

They can't fill the churches they have at present so why spend monies renovating others?? I'm sure I went to an Indian Restaurant somewhere, maybe Charley, that was a former church/chapel.

Admin wrote: Two decaying former Wigan cemetery chapels .......

I said, "You're Wrong".

And you're still wrong!

stumpy wrote:could the christian churches help to rebuild them they have lots of money

You're not wrong there stumpy. Perhaps all the churches in the Borough would like to chip in to save them?

Unfortunately most of the churches are struggling to save themselves.

My old church St Williams, Ince, has closed for the foreseeable future so I'm told.

Just read that St. Patrick's is to close on order of the diocese. Never thought that day would come.

broady wrote:Just read that St. Patrick's is to close on order of the diocese. Never thought that day would come.

St.Patrick's is nothing to do with the diocese!

Change the record. I quoted as I read. The point I was making was that the church was closing. Pedant.

Liverpool Diocese I always thought?

Would it be an idea to use them as an extension of the Wigan Heritage Services?

They 'were' chapels of Ince Cemetery. They have never been part of Wigan Cemetery.
Ince Cemetery is located in Ince, not in Wigan.
It is managed by Wigan Metropolitan Borough Council.


Penny McGinty, Wigan Council’s assistant director for corporate contracts and assets, said :-

" ..... If someone was to bring a proposal to the council about how the buildings could be maintained and brought back into use we would be very interested in having a discussion with them about it.”


I wonder if they'd let me open a wine-bar in one of them, if I ask nicely?

Should that not read " whine bar" ?? 

Wigan Council pledges an investment of £100,000 to make the buildings water tight and secure. (Wigan Council News)

One could be opened as a betting office.  "Dead Cert."!


Seriously, though, it's not about time that the council should put some effort in. They make enough money out of the place!

Excellent news jo anne. I wonder if we can persuade Rosk to take some pics when the job is started and when the job is done?

They were for sale some years ago.

They were for sale for a long time for a steal, but no one wanted them because there was/is nowhere at all to park.

The Question is WHAT could they be used for, Small house, offices,Bit eerie living, there limited parking as You say Macgwim.