A brown plaque has been unveiled at The Chapel, on Grove Road in Harrogate.
- Formerly a Methodist Chapel
- Grove Road (behind the fire station)
- Opened in 1896, with a capacity of 700
- It remained empty for some time, before being sold in 2013 to Mark Hinchcliffe, an art collector
- Underwent extensive restoration, and became a home for both Mark and impressive art collection
- Now also operates as a boutique bed and breakfast
Andrew Brown of the Harrogate Civic Society said:
I am a committee member of the Harrogate Civic Society, and also a member of the Methodist Church, one of its local preachers, and also the district property secretary. That means I have some responsibility for approximately 200 chapels that are in use across North Yorkshire.
We are still a very active denomination, but very pleased that our past is being recognised.
From the Civic Society, we are extremely pleased to support Mark and the erection of the plaque, that is revealing part of our heritage for visitors and residents.
It is good to see these small pieces of history, as you walk around the town.
Thank you Mark for this.
Mark Hinchcliffe said:
It has been an amazing journey in converting the chapel.
I would like to say thank you to Malcolm Neesam, sadly no longer with us, who both instigated and wrote the words for the plaque.
It is 125-years ago, this year, since it opened, so very befitting that we unveil the plaque.
