The Gothic-style Grade 2-listed chapel was built in 1871 by Thomas J Hill for the Enfield Burial Board

Lavender Hill Chapel and Community (credit Enfield Council)

Enfield Council has been awarded funding of more than £35,000 to “explore options” for the conservation and reuse of a Grade 2-listed cemetery chapel.

Lavender Hill Non-Conformist Cemetery Chapel has been unoccupied for several years but forms a “picturesque” matching pair to its Anglican counterpart on the eastern side of the cemetery.

With no current use and its condition deteriorating, the Grade 2-listed Gothic-style chapel presents some challenges to finding a viable new use.

To help kick-start work on the chapel’s future, The National Lottery Heritage Fund has awarded £25,500, with additional grants of £5,000 each from the Pilgrim Trust and The Enfield Society.

The council will be working with London Historic Buildings Trust (LHBT) to appoint a professional team for the delivery of the study in consultation with local stakeholders.

Lavender Hill Non-Conformist Chapel was built in 1870/71 by Thomas J Hill for the Enfield Burial Board who created a nine-acre cemetery in 1872. Originally located in open countryside, known for its market gardens and lavender growing.

By utilising the expertise and resources of both LHBT and The Enfield Society, and through engaging with the local community, the council will be working to identify a sustainable way forward this year.

Feasibility work is scheduled to take place over the next nine months and will help to progress plans to apply for more funding to secure a future life for the chapel, once repaired.

The project aims to identify appropriate, sustainable short- and longer-term solutions that respond to local need and will see the building removed from the Heritage-at-Risk register.

Enfield Council’s cabinet member for public spaces, culture and local economy, Chinelo Anyanwu, said: “The initial grant funding for the Lavender Hill Chapel and Community Project is a significant step towards conserving and revitalising the chapel. With the support of £25,500 from The National Lottery Heritage Fund, alongside contributions from the Pilgrim Trust and The Enfield Society, we are now set in our mission to breathe new life into this historic structure.

“Our partnership with the LHBT and collaboration with local people will ensure we can work towards sustainable solutions that honour the heritage and meet the needs of our community.”

The Enfield Society said: “This beautiful and historic building has such tremendous potential to create a valuable community space. The building is minutes from Gordon Hill Station with good links into central London creating opportunities for both local community activities and events that will serve a wider audience. The society looks forward to working with the community and other partners to develop the project.”

Georgina Nayler, chair of LHBT, said: “At LHBT, we are committed to transforming places for local people and finding innovative ways to bring new life to London’s endangered historic buildings. So, we are very pleased to be playing our part managing this project.”

A programme of events and consultation are planned in collaboration with The Enfield Society, as well as a maintenance training day for staff, volunteers and other groups in the borough who care for historic buildings and want to up-to-date knowledge and skills. The project will also identify local community members to take part in the project’s activities and consultation processes and produce online interpretation about the history of the site.

A steering group will also be established with “the interests of heritage, Enfield people and the regeneration of the local area at its heart”.

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