A decade after the Victorian Society named it in the top ten of the country's most endangered buildings it remains in desperate need of love, care, and cash. But a new campaign has been launched to save a Salford chapel which resembles a fairy-tale castle.
The Grade II listed Agecroft Chapel, shrouded by trees and ivy with its tower looming through the greenery resembles the lonely Gothic retreat of Edward Scissorhands Other admirers have likened it to Rapunzel’s castle.
In 2012 the Victorian Society named the ‘woefully neglected’ as at risk. In 2020 SAVE Britain's Heritage chose it as it's building of the month to highlight the urgent need for action.
Now local businessman, Alan Whitehead is hoping to galvanise Salfordians "around the world" to rescue the chapel. The owner of Moss Farm Fisheries on Chat Moss, Irlam, he said: "I am 100 per cent confident it can be saved. I have had enough of seeing beautiful land historical buildings in my home city being lost or left to decay.
"I know the council can't afford to repair it, but if they showed some love for it, that would be a start. They need to get around a table with people who are passionate about it like me, and local historians, and find a way forward. It has been estimated that £1m is needed to restore the chapel. We will need Salfordians everywhere to help - I am sure there are others, like me who want to save it and leave it as a legacy for others."
He has launched a change.org petition which has been signed by more than 370 people so far. He has already lobbied Greater Manchester Mayor, Andy Burnham seeking support and several Salford councillors.
In 2015 there were hopes that progress was being made. Agecroft Cemetery Chapel Restoration Group joined forces with Salford council to bid for funds to try to secure the future of the derelict chapel at the entrance to the cemetery. The group hoped to secure £12,000 for assessment of the building which closed in the 1970’s. But they admitted that to restore it and bring it back into community use could cost about £1m.
Chair of the group and former Salford resident June Rios helped raise £25,000 for a feasibility study into the future of the chapel back in 2004. Restoration costs were then put at over £750,000 when the former Lantern Group – named after the wooden lantern structure on the building’s tower – began work to try and save it.
June, a self employed beauty therapist of Croft, near Warrington, said at the time if funding can be secured options include potential businesses being involved such as florists, stone masons funeral directors or counselling services, as well community facilities including a cafe and displays on the history, flora and fauna of the cemetery.
June said in 2015: “This is a key building which is dear to the hearts of many people in Salford. Its loss would be a major loss and we are committed to finding a positive solution for its future use which will allow us to secure the resources to restore the building. However, we know we are up against a huge challenge as it could easily cost £1m to restore it and bring it back to use. But we have to try." Sadly the restoration group has been disbanded after funding proved too great a stumbling block.
Alan said: "I am hoping to have talks with the governor of Forest Bank prison. I think that restored the chapel would be ideal for a cafe for inmates to work in - like they have at Styal women's prison which works so well."
SAVE says of the chapel: "Built in around 1903 as a centrepiece for the Northern Cemetery in Salford, Agecroft Chapel exhibits a highly individual combination of architectural styles. The design was by Manchester-based architects, Sharpe and Foster, and displays elements of Gothic style, Arts and Crafts and Art Nouveau.
"The most notable feature of the building is the unusual tower which is surmounted by an eclectic wooden final stage set back behind a parapet. This distinctive feature can be seen framed by the entrance gate as people pass outside the cemetery and have therefore made it a landmark in the area."
They add: "The chapel has been empty for more than 40 years and, inevitably, it has suffered during that time. The tower requires work to stabilise it and the building is now fenced off as it is unsafe to enter.
"Agecroft Chapel was added to our Buildings at Risk register in 1999 and was spotted by a local resident who recognised it having grown up nearby and who loved the building. A local working group was formed with the aim of bringing it back into use.
"In 2006, with the involvement of the Council, a Building Preservation Trust was set up to take proposals forward. Discussions continued but with finance a key consideration, not much could be done. The project got new momentum in 2015 with some funding being provided by the Architectural Heritage Fund, National Lottery Heritage Fund, the Community Committee, Virador Waste and small donations from the public. The Architectural Heritage Fund and National Lottery Heritage Fund money was provided in 2017 to carry out a feasibility study."
In 2016, the Council cleared the building of extensive vegetation growth which was essential work and allowed updated assessments to be made of the building's condition.
In 2019, the chapel was one of the buildings which was chosen to be painted by artist, Gerard Stamp, for his exhibition in support of SAVE and its buildings at risk work.
