Building record 3656/3/1 - Zion Chapel, Zion Hill

Strict Baptist chapel in Zion Lane built in 1853. Tiny, brick and slate, with two round-arched windows. Dated 1853

{1} Building not listed but present on 1880 OS map. Small in plan but still surviving with a degree of intactness at the time of inspection. Baptism pool still remaining under removable floor along with coat hooks, doors etc. Proposal to convert likely to destroy much of the historical interest of the building. Date stone to east elevation. Digital Photos on DVD.

{3} Zion Chapel for the Strict and Particular Baptists was erected in 1853. The building is of red brick construction with a slate roof. The original building comprised a small single cell chapel or hall (8m75 x 6m12). It is uncertain whether the small single storey extension to the west of the building was original or added later. A further extension was added to the east of the building in the 1970s.
The main chapel or hall is open to ceiling height and has two round-arched windows on the north and south faces. There is an additional rectangular 9-pane window on the east face of the building. The (presumably) original blue glass survives in some of the panes. The floor is constructed of blocks of wood and in the centre of the floor are six red tiles aligned in two rows of three. It is clear that this area marks some form of feature - possibly an early font. At the south-west corner of the building a baptismal pool lies under the floor boards. The current owner of the building informs that this was constructed in the 1970s - and the decoration of the pool (in blue and yellow tiles) would appear to confirm this, but it is uncertain if this was the re-development of an earlier baptism pool. There is wooden panelling around all four walls of the building, although some of the original has clearly been replaced. There are also wooden racks with coat pegs all the way around the building. There are wooden doors on the east and west sides of the building leading to the two extensions.
The entrance to the 19 century extension to the west is through a simple plank door beneath a brick voussoir. This leads into a small lobby entranceway with a trap door leading to loft space above. The area behind was presumably used as a small school room or utility room associated with the chapel. There is a chimney stack on the north wall of this extension. To the west of the extension is a single toilet compartment with an exterior access.
The 1970s extension to the east is a single storey, red brick structure with a flat roof. The main entrance to the building is currently through this structure.

<1> Ellison M., 2002, SMR Report Form, (checked) (Notes). SNN102206.

<2> Ellison M., 2002, Zion Chapel, Walgrave, (checked) (Photographic prints (COL)). SNN102207.

<3> Ballinger J., 2000, Zion Chapel, Zion Hill, Walgrave, (checked) (Report). SNN100684.

<4> Ballinger J., 2000, Zion Chapel, Zion Hill, Walgrave, (checked) (Photographic prints (COL)). SNN100685.

<5> Northamptonshire Industrial Archaeology Group, 1996-2013, Northamptonshire Industrial Archaeology Group Newsletter, Issue 119 p.9 (checked) (Newsletter). SNN55360.

<6> The Royal Commission on the Historical Monuments of England, 1986, Nonconformist Chapels and Meeting-Houses: Northamptonshire & Oxfordshire, p. 149 (Report). SNN2902.

Record last edited

Sep 27 2022 4:25PM