The Anglican chapel is a former neo-gothic structure, designed by Willam Flockton; a well established architect who designed and managed the construction of numerous churches and chapels across Sheffield. Constructed in 1850, fourteen years after the cemetery initially opened, the Anglican chapel functioned for over one hundred years, up until 1978 when it was closed, bricked-up and abandoned following the final burial there. The chapel now lies as an empty shell in Sheffield General Cemetery, a site that was originally one of the earliest commercial cemeteries in Britain. Nonetheless, the Anglican chapel itself is particularly unique and distinctive in style due to its ogival windows, the porte-cochere and the large spire; which incidentally was designed intentionally to be too big, to make certain that people across Sheffield were able to locate it from afar. Although the site already had (and still does) a classic Egyptian style chapel, the grounds were not consecrated, therefore, the Anglican chapel was built alongside to provide a conformist site, making burials for ‘paupers’ and members of the established church permissible. A low stone wall, named the Dissenter’s wall, was erected across the cemetery as a symbolic divide between the two burial sites. Countless elaborate and decorative grave stones and monuments continue, to this day, to litter the grounds surrounding the chapel, although some of the more valuable statues were removed and relocated to the cathedral and other churches across the city.
It’s been a little while since we last explored a church or chapel, so we decided it was time for another crack at one. Although we knew that the Anglican chapel was almost certainly empty, the site – including the cemetery – is one of Sheffield’s important historical relics; besides, exploring a neo-gothic spire was a very enticing prospect. After making our way into the cemetery we discovered that it was, as expected, quiet. We managed to get into the main body of the structure easily, and after gathering a few photographs, we made an attempt at the spire… The day was a success and we even managed a little climb inside an old sort of chimney shaft. On the whole, the Anglican chapel is a fantastic building, and although it’s completely gutted it compromises by offering an exaggerated and eccentric spire that tempts the odd passerby with the guarantee of brilliant views which one feels compelled to witness.
1: The Anglican Chapel Tower and Spire
2: Old Stone Framework for Stained Glass
3: Top of Chapel Wall
4: Chapel Cross
5: Attic Space
6: Old Beams in Attic Space
7: Rooftop View
8: Inside of Chapel (Top-down View)
9: Faded Graffiti from Many Years Ago
10: Weathered Stone Display Panel
11: Inside The Anglican Chapel (Floor Shot)
12: Chimney/Shaft Climb
13: Inside the Tower/Spire - Looking Up
14: Gothic Style Windows Inside Tower/Spire
15: The Spire
16: Looking Out at the Front Door
17: The Anglican Chapel Through the Trees
It’s been a little while since we last explored a church or chapel, so we decided it was time for another crack at one. Although we knew that the Anglican chapel was almost certainly empty, the site – including the cemetery – is one of Sheffield’s important historical relics; besides, exploring a neo-gothic spire was a very enticing prospect. After making our way into the cemetery we discovered that it was, as expected, quiet. We managed to get into the main body of the structure easily, and after gathering a few photographs, we made an attempt at the spire… The day was a success and we even managed a little climb inside an old sort of chimney shaft. On the whole, the Anglican chapel is a fantastic building, and although it’s completely gutted it compromises by offering an exaggerated and eccentric spire that tempts the odd passerby with the guarantee of brilliant views which one feels compelled to witness.
1: The Anglican Chapel Tower and Spire
2: Old Stone Framework for Stained Glass
3: Top of Chapel Wall
4: Chapel Cross
5: Attic Space
6: Old Beams in Attic Space
7: Rooftop View
8: Inside of Chapel (Top-down View)
9: Faded Graffiti from Many Years Ago
10: Weathered Stone Display Panel
11: Inside The Anglican Chapel (Floor Shot)
12: Chimney/Shaft Climb
13: Inside the Tower/Spire - Looking Up
14: Gothic Style Windows Inside Tower/Spire
15: The Spire
16: Looking Out at the Front Door
17: The Anglican Chapel Through the Trees