Future of at-risk chapel discussed

Dating from 1819, it was once one of the largest chapels in England, but fell into decay when it shut in the mid 80s

A workshop has been held to seek out ideas for the future use of a Grade II listed Stoke-on-Trent chapel.

Bethesda Methodist Chapel, in Hanley, known as The Cathedral of the Potteries, has not hosted a religious service for nearly 40 years.

Middleport Pottery owner Re-Form Heritage is exploring potential uses for it, which could be an arts and cultural venue or an educational centre.

Wednesday's event enabled residents to share their views on the future of the building, classed as "Heritage At Risk" by Historic England.

Alasdair Brooks, from Re-Form Heritage, said the building added to the beauty of the local environment

The building will also be open for two Heritage Open Days in September.

Dating from 1819, it was once one of the largest chapels in England, but fell into decay when it shut in the mid 80s.

Its plight was highlighted on BBC programme Restoration in 2003 and although a target of vandals, work took place to preserve it.

"To me, it is just a wonderful place," said Roberta Higson, Friends of Bethesda Chapel.

"I think most people that come in here fall in love with it.

"I can still walk upstairs, and when I get just into the balcony, I can still go 'wow' when I see the building."

Roberta Higson, from Friends of Bethesda Chapel, said people who visit the building fall in love with it

Alasdair Brooks, from Re-Form Heritage, said: "It adds to the environment, the beauty of the local environment.

"Having this building reused, I would argue is much more important than building a 2024 modernist piece of architecture in the centre of the city."

Pritpal Singh Nagi, owner of the building next door, wanted to see people coming back into the town and hoped a new use was found.

"These unique, these very old buildings, they need to bring them back into use."

Re-Form Heritage must decide by October whether it wants to take on the building, or whether another organisation would be better placed to secure the chapel’s future, Stoke-on-Trent City Council said.