Photosphere
This tiny chapel in Petworth is in a cemetery that seems long forgotten in the village, with graves dating as far back as 1882 as far as I could see.
The chapel has previously been boarded up but for years has been open, judging from other photos I have found showing it open also. It exists on the edge of a new housing development, which is located right where a boys school was bombed in WW2, killing 29 boys. The cemetery has a memorial dedicated to these boys, but there is a lot of bad sentiment in the village regarding the homes being built on ‘sacred land’, where the school once was, and a local we ran into in the cemetery angrily echoed these feelings.
The building is in absolute ruin and falling down, due apparently to no one claiming ownership to the chapel and carrying out restoration, despite funds being set aside in 2013. It’s really sad, and unfortunately the sweet little building will likely be knocked down.
The oak front doors were apparently stolen one night, probably to be sold to the highest bidder. The inside was full of crisp packets and alcohol bottles, and pieces of the lead and glass from the windows littered the floor. Apart from that the place was empty, and I’ll leave the rest of the photos here.
Front door, no longer secure.
I was stood by the wall of the chapel for this photo, so the new houses are being built really close. The grave on the far left was for a chief constable in Petworth who died in 1882 I think it was.
Front door from the inside and a pile of rubble fallen from the inside of the steeple.
Apparently a barn owl is the chapel’s only occupant now, seems a nice hideaway.
Entrance.
All the photos are on my phone though I hope to get better shots in future explores! First report so I hope it’s ok
I love discovering the history of these places. Thanks for reading.
This tiny chapel in Petworth is in a cemetery that seems long forgotten in the village, with graves dating as far back as 1882 as far as I could see.
The chapel has previously been boarded up but for years has been open, judging from other photos I have found showing it open also. It exists on the edge of a new housing development, which is located right where a boys school was bombed in WW2, killing 29 boys. The cemetery has a memorial dedicated to these boys, but there is a lot of bad sentiment in the village regarding the homes being built on ‘sacred land’, where the school once was, and a local we ran into in the cemetery angrily echoed these feelings.
The building is in absolute ruin and falling down, due apparently to no one claiming ownership to the chapel and carrying out restoration, despite funds being set aside in 2013. It’s really sad, and unfortunately the sweet little building will likely be knocked down.
The oak front doors were apparently stolen one night, probably to be sold to the highest bidder. The inside was full of crisp packets and alcohol bottles, and pieces of the lead and glass from the windows littered the floor. Apart from that the place was empty, and I’ll leave the rest of the photos here.
Front door, no longer secure.
I was stood by the wall of the chapel for this photo, so the new houses are being built really close. The grave on the far left was for a chief constable in Petworth who died in 1882 I think it was.
Front door from the inside and a pile of rubble fallen from the inside of the steeple.
Apparently a barn owl is the chapel’s only occupant now, seems a nice hideaway.
Entrance.
All the photos are on my phone though I hope to get better shots in future explores! First report so I hope it’s ok
I love discovering the history of these places. Thanks for reading.
