THE final phase of restoration of the Whitfield Tabernacle in Kingswood has received a £400,000 boost.
The grant from Historic England means the work to create a performance and exhibition space, café and meeting rooms at the Grade 1 listed chapel can be completed this year,
The Rev Anthony Hick, chair of the Whitfield Tabernacle Trust, said: “This grant will enable us to fulfil more of the ambitious vision we have developed over the last 10 years for this heritage building.
“Work has already begun on Phase II of our project thanks to the funding from the West of England Combined Authority through South Gloucestershire Council. This additional funding will mean that some items which had been cut from our plans due to rising costs will now be able to be put back in.”
Trust secretary Kim Scudamore added: “We are very grateful to Historic England for the faith they have shown in supporting us, although the building remains on their Heritage at Risk Register. This extra funding we have received from Historic England will give us a building that will be a community asset, although we will continue to seek funding for the furniture and fit-out items that we will need to fully meet our vision.”
The Trust acquired the building, which played an important part in the story of early Methodism, in 2019 and completed the first phase of repairs in 2022 with support from Historic England, the West of England Combined Authority and South Glos Council.
The tabernacle, which was commissioned in 1741 by George Whitefield, was added to Historic England’s Heritage at Risk Register in 1999 after years of disuse and neglect. The final phase of works is designed to see it removed from the Register.
Rebecca Barrett, South West regional director at Historic England, said: “An exciting new future is now in sight for Whitfield Tabernacle after many years of hard work by the Trust and many other partners. We’re delighted to support the final phase of works and look forward to seeing this important building become part of life in Kingswood once again.”
Helen Newman, project director at Ferguson Mann Architects, said: “We are delighted that this grant will assist in the delivery of the Trust’s vision for the second phase which ensures the building’s re-occupation and success as a community asset.”