Securing New Futures for Historic Chapels
The Historic Chapels Trust (HCT) was established in 1996 and is the only national charity in England dedicated to protecting significant non-Church of England places of worship no longer in use.
Over the past 30 years, HCT has taken on 20 of the most important Grade I and Grade II* listed chapels in England, securing their future at a time when no viable alternative use could be found.
In recent years, the grant funding that underpinned HCT’s work has reduced significantly. As a result, the Trust has shifted its focus towards securing new, sympathetic owners who can provide sustainable long-term futures for these buildings.
Further details on this background are available in our Supporters Newsletter, including the Chairman’s report in the Summer 2023 edition.
HCT has secured funding to support both urgent conservation works and the process of finding new, sustainable owners for its chapels. A programme of condition surveys has been undertaken across the portfolio, informing a prioritised programme of repairs and maintenance focused on those chapels most at risk. This work has been funded through the National Heritage Memorial Fund’s Cultural Assets Fund.
Alongside this, HCT has been delivering a Disposals Programme, funded by Historic England, to identify and secure appropriate new custodians for the chapels. Tricolor Associates has been engaged to lead this programme, managing outreach, negotiation and transfer on behalf of HCT. This has involved engagement with a wide range of organisations and individuals, with the aim of achieving responsible, values-led transfers that safeguard each building’s heritage significance and secure a sustainable future for each site.
As of June 2026, fourteen of HCT’s chapels have been successfully transferred or sold into new ownership. The future of the remaining six chapels is currently being progressed through active discussions with prospective owners, partners and other key stakeholders.
Details of websites and information about their new owners are as follows:
Bethesda Methodist Chapel
Transferred to Re-form Heritage. Find out more at Bethesda Methodist Chapel in Hanley.
The Friends of Friendless Churches have taken on four chapels and meeting houses. Find out more at the web pages below.
Biddlestone Roman Catholic Chapel
Biddlestone Roman Catholic Chapel, Northumberland – Friends of Friendless Churches
Coanwood Friends Meeting House
Coanwood Meeting House, Northumberland – Friends of Friendless Churches
Cote Baptist Chapel
Cote Baptist Chapel, Oxfordshire – Friends of Friendless Churches
Farfield Friends Meeting House
Farfield Friends Meeting House, West Yorkshire – Friends of Friendless Churches
Dissenters Chapel, Kensal Green Cemetery
The lease has been returned to the General Cemetery Company. The chapel is currently home to the Friends of Kensal Green Cemetery.
Grittleton Strict Baptist Chapel
Sold to a private owner who will publish details of their plans in due course.m
Longworth Catholic Chapel
Transferred to new CIO The Longworth Chapel, Bartestree Charity (charity no: 1216066). Find out more on Facebook – The Longworth Chapel, Bartestree Charity
Salem Chapel in East Budleigh
Transferred to new CIO East Budleighs Salem Chapel (charity no: 1210405). Find out more at East Budleigh’s Parish Website.
St Benet’s Chapel
Transfer to Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Liverpool.
St George’s German Lutheran Church
Sold to the Council of Lutheran Churches and regular Sunday service will start soon. The CLC has agreed that the Friends group can remain and continue to host events. Find out more at St George’s German Lutheran Church.
Wainsgate Chapel
Transferred to Wainsgate Committee CIO (charity no: 1198944) completed. Find out more at Wainsgate Chapel.
Walpole Old Chapel
Transferred to The Friends of Walpole Old Chapel (charity no: 1198030) completed. Find out more at Walpole Old Chapel.
Westgate Methodist Chapel
Sold at nil value to Trades4Care, supported by Cultura Trust (charity No: 513055), a Community Interest Company (Company no: 11829831).