Greenbank Mortuary Chapels - Things to do with a derelict chapel.

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krela

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Location
Bristol, UK.
Some of you may remember the last time I posted a report was a couple of years ago, entitled "things to do with a derelict swimming pool", where I and a few other like minded people decided to take over a derelict edwardian swimming pool and turn it into a gallery and event space so that it didn't get trashed while waiting for redevelopment.

Well, now we're back, this time with a derelict Victorian gothic chapel.

In May 2014, after 4 years of protracted and frustrating negotiations with Bristol City Council we were finally given a lease on the Cemetery chapels within a local cemetery, which the council had been using for groundkeepers storage for the past 30+ years. We've got an initial one year lease, with a view to a 3 or 5 year lease in the future. Our aim is to halt the damage that 30+ years of neglect has taken, and turn it into an art and community space. There is no water, electricity or gas on site, so everything we do will have to be innovative and sustainable. We're looking to keep it off grid, which means solar power, harvesting rainwater etc. It's going to be a challenge for sure!

If we get the 5 year lease, we will be looking at undertaking full heritage restoration, which will be a major multi-million pound project.

We have a website with more info, and we're on a fundraising drive at the moment to get us started. We're not a company, we're not a community group, we're just a co-operative bunch of like minded folk who believe that buildings like this shouldn't be allowed to lay empty to decay beyond repair, and we're doing something about it. We're starting with nothing but our own skills and hard work, and a firm belief that we can do it, we have a track record. That said, it's still quite surreal and overwhelming (in a good way) being a custodian to such an amazing building.

http://www.greenbankchapel.com

And we're greenbankchapel on both Facebook and Twitter.

So, on with a little about the location:

Built in the early 1870s, Greenbank Mortuary Chapels are a GradeII listed pair of cemetery chapels, one Christian, the other Non-conformist. They were designed by local architect Henry Masters, and built in the Victorian Gothic style.

My photography isn't what it was, I'm seriously out of practice, but here's a few anyway:

14561844557_654c3889ff_b.jpgIMG_6398 by krela, on Flickr

14725300556_25048fc41c_b.jpgIMG_6411 by krela, on Flickr

14747998782_7d0b5c24e7_b.jpgIMG_6421 by krela, on Flickr

14561843917_2771c4cd94_b.jpgIMG_6428 by krela, on Flickr

14561620570_93a183ff6e_b.jpgIMG_6444 by krela, on Flickr

14745950344_d9242ed839_b.jpgIMG_6463 by krela, on Flickr

14768160793_1a5846dba7_b.jpgIMG_6505 by krela, on Flickr

14745950144_54a40f434e_b.jpgIMG_6506 by krela, on Flickr

14747997802_4e41844b81_b.jpgIMG_6513 by krela, on Flickr

14561619660_2989c89979_b.jpgIMG_6518 by krela, on Flickr

14745125411_d621362d0d_b.jpgIMG_6522 by krela, on Flickr

14725298936_c98c2b845f_b.jpgIMG_6523 by krela, on Flickr

14768159993_bbb4986153_b.jpgIMG_6526 by krela, on Flickr

14745948844_94001d4d26_b.jpgUntitled_HDR2 by krela, on Flickr

14725296506_ef6bc74f22_b.jpgUntitled_HDR22 by krela, on Flickr

14768157743_62f88209d9_b.jpgUntitled_HDR23 by krela, on Flickr

14561616840_f33b076a16_b.jpgUntitled_HDR24 by krela, on Flickr

14745122431_d0d1045e96_b.jpgUntitled_HDR26 by krela, on Flickr

14561653519_976149cc4e_b.jpgUntitled_HDR25 by krela, on Flickr

This location is not explorable, it's very well secured and now in use. But if anyone would like to know more then there is opportunity for things to be arrange. Also we're having an open weekend on the 13th/14th Sept. if anyone happens to be around.

Cheers!
 
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Fantastic work dude!
I look forward to visiting :)
Thanks for keeping us updated, best of luck with the remainder of the project. :)
 
Your photos are aweome! Out of practice you say?! Would like to see them when your photos are good then! :)
 
Out of practice?? Shut up!!!

A fantastic and gorgeous building and nice to see you guys in there looking after the place. As UrbanX says, I look forward to visiting too :)
 
That is a building that deserves to be saved and it is very heartening to see that there are enough community minded folk willing to step in. I wish all of you the best of luck with the project. I agree with the others about your photography.
 
You and your friends are to be applauded for trying to make a difference. I wish you luck and will send a small donation your way. It will be great to see them returned to glory and be able to dispense with those ugly wire fences - although I'm sure those same fences are currently doing a fantastic job at keeping the trashing amoeba out. Incidently, is that vandalism on IMG 6505? It looks recent... We have a beautiful little chapel in a city cemetary in Norwich which, just like your two has been relegated to use as a groundsmans store for decades. If I get the chance over the weekend I'll take a couple of photo's and tag them on to the comments!
 
No vandalism, we suspect it's from where people were less than careful moving stuff in and out of storage. The stone is suffering badly from damp and acid erosion, so it's VERY crumbly and brittle.

Thank you to those of you who have donated, it's very much appreciated.
 
Really nice photos Ben especially the 3rd one down, I hope it all goes well and you manage to do the full heritage restoration, shall pop some funds in the pot on payday :)
 
WOW!

What a beautiful and grand old building. Very commendable what you and the Group are trying to do. Wishing you all the very best of success with this. :)
 
What a lovely thing to do! Hope you keep the forum up to date with photos & info as this develops. Perhaps there would be the opportunity for some urban explorers to become urban restorers?
 
Great work mate. Long may this sort of thing continue, as it seems this is the only sort of venture that is going to stop thiskind of site being flattened and turned into flats. Well done and good luck to all of you!
Godzy
 
Sounds like a challenging project, so very best of luck with it. While the rest of us enjoy getting out exploring old places, then lamenting those that are lost, you are actually trying to preserve some, so you have my admiration.
 
Nice photos mate, good luck with the project.

Dugie
 
Great to see a bit of Krela internet posting action! Well done on this fabulous project and sharing your ace images of it :)
 

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