Buy a brick campaign launched as part of transformation project at historic High Peak Chapel

Ambitious plans to safeguard the future of a High Peak Chapel celebrating its 150th anniversary are underway with a fundraising campaign being launched for the final portion of money needed.
By Louise Cooper
Published 4th Feb 2021, 12:30 BST
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Fernilee Chapel and Graveyard has been at the heart of the community in Fernilee and the surrounding area since being built in 1871.

But in 2017, just a few years ahead of the Chapel’s Sesquicentennial Anniversary (150 years) in 2021, it faced possible closure after it was discovered that substantial repairs were needed to ensure the listed building could continue to be used.

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A series of public meetings were held, which showed that people in Whaley Bridge and further afield had strong connections to the Chapel and graveyard with many generations attending the Sunday School - held until 2015 in the rooms underneath the Chapel - and many people being baptised, married or buried there too.

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Fernilee Chapel is celebrating its Sesquicentennial (150 years). Looking for Time Capsule that was buried into the original stone work 150 years ago.Fernilee Chapel is celebrating its Sesquicentennial (150 years). Looking for Time Capsule that was buried into the original stone work 150 years ago.
Fernilee Chapel is celebrating its Sesquicentennial (150 years). Looking for Time Capsule that was buried into the original stone work 150 years ago.

With input from volunteers, plans to safeguard both the Chapel and the graveyard were devised, with a graveyard group formed and proposals approved to convert the Sunday School into a low cost holiday let, to utilise the space and provide funds for the upkeep of the Chapel. It is also planned to adapt the main church area to use as a flexible space to serve the local community.

Clare Beswick, a Trustee of Fernilee Chapel and Project Lead on the transformation project, said: “We only have the Chapel and the Shady Oak Pub in Fernilee and they are both crucial to the sense of wellbeing to the community, for different reasons!

"This is so much more than a church project, we are involving the local and wider communities in our heritage and safeguarding it for everyone to enjoy in future generations.

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"Through Rev Keith Sandow we have supporters from USA and we hope to attract even more global visitors to the Goyt Valley and Buxton area.

Fernilee Chapel is celebrating its Sesquicentennial (150 years). Looking for Time Capsule that was buried into the original stone work 150 years ago. Donna Hodgson looking at book with a description where the time capsule could be placed.Fernilee Chapel is celebrating its Sesquicentennial (150 years). Looking for Time Capsule that was buried into the original stone work 150 years ago. Donna Hodgson looking at book with a description where the time capsule could be placed.
Fernilee Chapel is celebrating its Sesquicentennial (150 years). Looking for Time Capsule that was buried into the original stone work 150 years ago. Donna Hodgson looking at book with a description where the time capsule could be placed.
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“We have had support from so many past Sunday School teachers and the Methodist Church members.

“This means that the ground floor level of the Chapel can still be used for worship and community events, without worrying about finances.

"The Chapel was originally built by the community for the community in 1871 and we are using as many locals as we can for the transformation project. Local Architect Amy Hubble and Builder John Powner from Whaley Bridge were selected for their expertise and because they were local with an interest in Fernilee.”

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Work on the old Sunday School has now started, during which it was discovered that a time capsule was buried in the original building in 1871 and this is being opened as part of the project.

Fernilee Chapel is celebrating its Sesquicentennial (150 years). Looking for Time Capsule that was buried into the original stone work 150 years ago. Rev Timothy Keith Sandow.Fernilee Chapel is celebrating its Sesquicentennial (150 years). Looking for Time Capsule that was buried into the original stone work 150 years ago. Rev Timothy Keith Sandow.
Fernilee Chapel is celebrating its Sesquicentennial (150 years). Looking for Time Capsule that was buried into the original stone work 150 years ago. Rev Timothy Keith Sandow.

Donations and fundraising have already brought in £90,000 of the £140,000 needed for the project, but a Buy a Brick campaign has now been launched to raise the final £50,000 needed.

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Virtual bricks costing £5 have so far been purchased by people both locally and further afield and as Fernilee Chapel was built 150 years ago using 10,926 blue bricks, the aim is to match this with virtual brick donations raising £54,630.

To donate online, see https://www.give.net/fernilee/fundraising.

Or to donate by other means or support this project in any way email [email protected].

Related topics:WorkWhaley Bridge