The Grade 2 listed church was completed in 1878 to accommodate large numbers of mill workers in the irish quater of Wigan.
Progressively, the older houses disappeared and the residential population shrank and the area became largely retail and light industry. Subsequently the church became more and more isolated. Eventually it closed in 1995. There has been nemours applications submitted to convert the church into business use including a rock climbing centre but nothing materialised.
Since previous reports, their is further evidence of decay and more of the Chapel is exposed to the elements slowly causing further structural damage. With the restrictions on use and type renovation requires to respect its grade 2 listing status, it's becoming less and less attractive to investors due ti increaed renevation cost. There was some evidence of building materials left but they seem only enough to brick up the original entraces with little evidence of interior maintence.
The explore.
Despite attempts to keep the building sealed, access was easy. There are no cameras or any security measures at all anymore. As its on a street, hanging around didnt seem unusual.
As long as you don't mind crawling trough a small hole, you are left with the run of the place.
There is still evidence of rough sleeping with empy food packets expiring in 2020 so less likely to be recent.
Once you have negotiated the rotten or absent floorboards , it's largely solid.
Despite further decay, the place has been cleaned. There was no sign of drug use but then we visited at dusk so viability was limited to torchlight.
Hopefully this beautiful building will find a new owner soon and the history preserved
Progressively, the older houses disappeared and the residential population shrank and the area became largely retail and light industry. Subsequently the church became more and more isolated. Eventually it closed in 1995. There has been nemours applications submitted to convert the church into business use including a rock climbing centre but nothing materialised.
Since previous reports, their is further evidence of decay and more of the Chapel is exposed to the elements slowly causing further structural damage. With the restrictions on use and type renovation requires to respect its grade 2 listing status, it's becoming less and less attractive to investors due ti increaed renevation cost. There was some evidence of building materials left but they seem only enough to brick up the original entraces with little evidence of interior maintence.
The explore.
Despite attempts to keep the building sealed, access was easy. There are no cameras or any security measures at all anymore. As its on a street, hanging around didnt seem unusual.
As long as you don't mind crawling trough a small hole, you are left with the run of the place.
There is still evidence of rough sleeping with empy food packets expiring in 2020 so less likely to be recent.
Once you have negotiated the rotten or absent floorboards , it's largely solid.
Despite further decay, the place has been cleaned. There was no sign of drug use but then we visited at dusk so viability was limited to torchlight.
Hopefully this beautiful building will find a new owner soon and the history preserved
