As part of their National Lottery Heritage Fund supported project to create a world class and exciting space for contemporary community, arts and cultural use in the Sunday School Hall at Union Chapel in Islington, London, they are publishing a series of videos on their YouTube channel. Faye Davies, the Specialist Conservation Architect leading the project for BFF, was invited to discuss the history of this part of the historic building complex and outline the plans for its refurbishment, conservation and future use.
The Sunday School Hall, at the Grade I Listed Union Chapel is a hidden gem. The original roof has reached the end of its 140 year life, the brickwork is crumbling and the electrics and plumbing are in urgent need of upgrading. Rarely seen by the public, its time for some TLC has finally come after years of urgent works focusing on the Chapel itself.
In the video Faye explains that
“The Sunday School project is going to be an exciting community space, it will unlock the heritage of the building and is key to bringing the community back into the space.”
Inside, the Hall is a large, airy, double height space with a 3 sided wrap-around wrought iron balcony. The balcony is complete with original study booths and library. It is a space that combines simple grandeur and practicality – it was intended to cater for a wide range of activities, including classes for up to 180 children and families, sports, tea parties and bazaars.
The space is also home to books, papers and artefacts amassed since Union Chapel’s foundation in 1799. This collection is an untapped treasure trove of stories. It tells tales of nonconformists and their 100 year journey from persecuted minority to being part of the establishment. It tells of the increasing acceptance of their liberal values, which have helped shape our society. There’s more modern material documenting Union Chapel’s life as a venue, such as posters from the very first Big Chill nights and legendary events by the likes of Procol Harem, Patti Smith, The Moth and Emile Sande. But it’s also full of the everyday too, revealing insights into the lives of real local people and their ambitions for a better world.
As well as repairing the hall itself, Union Chapel wishes to conserve this collection to create an accessible archive. This project is creating a mass of free, skills-based, activities from conservation and archive skills to training in powerful public speaking – a skill of the activist leaders who helped found Union Chapel.
Most importantly though it will open up this little seen room and its collection for dedicated community use, cultural activity, ideas sharing and participative events – giving future generations the chance to create new stories of their own.
The chapel’s YouTube Channel includes many videos on other aspects of this uniquely beautiful and inspiring space where history, faith, community and progressive values come together in the heart of Islington. They include this video, which gives a general introduction to this incredible venue, its services, values and history and their plans for the future.