Lantern Project
The Borough of Salford purchased the land where Agecroft Cemetery is situated in December 1897 from Mr Robert Dauntsey, a local farmer, for £27,000. After approval from the Home Secretary in 1899 to develop the land as a cemetery, Messrs. Sharp and Foster, Architects from Deansgate in Manchester, were appointed to undertake the layout and design of the cemetery grounds. They were also requested to design three burial chapels to facilitate the Church of England, Roman Catholic and Non Conformist faiths.
The Catholic and Non Conformist chapels were built at either end of the cemetery but the Church of England Chapel was sited central to the main entrance gates. This chapel became the central feature of the cemetery with an imposing gothic designed tower. The dials could be seen both day and night from all around the neighbourhood. The building was made of axe-faced yorkstone walls with red sandstone dressings and pitch-pine woodwork. the internal tie beams were decorated with the coat of arms of York, Durham, Chester, Ripon, Manchester and Liverpool Diocese, which form the Northern Province.
On 11th April 1903 the Church of England chapel along with the designated surrounding burial ground was consecrated by the Bishop of Manchester, in a ceremony that was attended by many people. The total cost of constructing the 3 burial chapels was £13,860.
Unfortunately, through lack of repair and maintenance over the years, it was reported in the early 1980's that the Church of England chapel required £27,000 spending to replace the leaking roof structure. At this time the Council could not justify this spending because the chapel was not used frequently enough by families for their funeral services. It was more popular to use local churches prior to the burial. A decision was taken to cease the use of the Church of England chapel as well as the Roman Catholic chapel and a subsequent decision was taken to demolish the Roman Catholic chapel in 1985. However, the Church of England chapel had previously been given grade 2 listed building status to reflect its beauty and style of architecture. It was this status that saved it from demolition and so in 1987 a safety fence was erected around the perimeter to prevent unauthorised access.
Since this time various funding methods have been sought but these have proved fruitless. In 1987, a survey was completed by the City Council and it was estimated that £350,000 would be required to bring the chapel back into a safe and useable facility. The chapel since this time has been left in the same condition which has added to its natural deterioration.
The visionMany visitors to the cemetery, particularly one lady Mrs June Rios, have been deeply saddened by the decay of the once beautiful building. Mrs Rios approached the City Council. to see "if something could be done" to renovate and re-use the building.
June added that as well as re-opening the chapel for burial services the building could be used to sell memorials and flowers. A coffee shop could be added and an area for heritage and genealogy information.
After many telephone calls and much letter writing a steering group has been formed, which has been named the 'Lantern Project', to reflect the prominent clock tower, which after dusk illuminates the surrounding area, showing the clock face.
The Lantern ProjectThe steering group is working under the auspices of Heritage Trust for the North West, a registered building preservation trust (registered charity number 508300) and comprises of local volunteers, Salford Community Venture and officers from Salford City Council Conservation Department and Environmental Services Directorate. The group is advised professionally by Kathryn Sather Associates.
The group meets bi-monthly. The priority is to undertake a feasibility study to appraise the costs of repair and suggest and cost possible options for reuse.
The Architectural Heritage Fund and Salford Community Venture have contributed to this project and Allen Todd associates, a specialist firm of Architects, have been appointed to carry out the study. Work will commence when the funding has been secured.
How can YOU help?We would be delighted to hear from anyone who would be willing to give their time or to share information that would allow this project to move forward.
There is a lot of work to do and currently resources are limited.
If you think that you could help in some way or if you would like to make a donation (cheques made payable to The Lantern Project), then please contact:
June Rios
Chair of Group
Unit 29,
The Sundial Centre
Common Lane
Culcheth
WARRINGTON
WA3 4EH
Tel: 01925-764188
We acknowledge the contribution of:
- Hercules Chemical Plant
- Architectural Heritage Fund
- New Deal for Communities
- PZ Cussons
This page was last updated on 01 June 2005
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