Union Chapel, Islington
Visit by Clerkenwell & Islington Guides to the Union Chapel, Compton Terrace (near Highbury Corner), Islington.
In 1799 a Baptist congregation split from St Mary's Islington, building their own chapel in 1806. It was replaced in 1877 by a chapel on the same site, designed by the architect James Cubitt to an unusual octagonal design. The landmark tower was added twelve years later.
In the early 1980s the chapel was threatened with demolition, but opened itself up instead as a concert venue and soon gained a reputation due to the quality of its acoustics, thanks to its octagonal design - indeed, it had been built for music in the first place! These concerts have given the building a new lease of life and the revenue raised, together with money from the Heritage Lottery Fund, is enabling the Chapel to be restored to its former glory. It is now a Grade 1 listed building, meaning it is regarded as a structure of national significance.
Union Chapel, Islington
Visit by Clerkenwell & Islington Guides to the Union Chapel, Compton Terrace (near Highbury Corner), Islington.
In 1799 a Baptist congregation split from St Mary's Islington, building their own chapel in 1806. It was replaced in 1877 by a chapel on the same site, designed by the architect James Cubitt to an unusual octagonal design. The landmark tower was added twelve years later.
In the early 1980s the chapel was threatened with demolition, but opened itself up instead as a concert venue and soon gained a reputation due to the quality of its acoustics, thanks to its octagonal design - indeed, it had been built for music in the first place! These concerts have given the building a new lease of life and the revenue raised, together with money from the Heritage Lottery Fund, is enabling the Chapel to be restored to its former glory. It is now a Grade 1 listed building, meaning it is regarded as a structure of national significance.