Union Chapel launches free heritage workshops

Union Chapel, one of Islington’s most cherished historic venues, is excited to announce the launch of monthly Heritage Building Workshops as part of its Sunday School Stories Project. This new initiative invites 18-year-old plus participants to learn practical conservation skills while celebrating the unique heritage of the Chapel's Grade I and II* listed architecture.

Starting this November, these free taster workshops will provide hands-on training in carpentry, roofing, brickwork, and plastering to understand the craft of restoration and renovation. Delivered in collaboration with Fullers Builders, who are currently working on the conservation and retrofit of the Chapel’s Sunday School Hall, the sessions aim to inspire and upskill DIY fans as well as beginners or those who may not have previously considered heritage or building industries, as well as underrepresented communities with limited access to the heritage and the arts scenes in Islington.

Workshop Dates

• Tuesday, 12 November - Carpentry: Discover the secrets of the iconic box sash window, including its maintenance, repair, and restoration techniques. (Fully Booked)
• Tuesday, 10 December – Roofing: Intro to traditional roofing and how finishes deteriorate with age. How to construct a roof to offer reliable service, with a choice of finishes, and how to maintain a roof for optimum long-term performance. (Apply by 29 November)
• Tuesday, 14 January - Roofing workshop (details to be announced). (Apply by 6 January)
• Plus, more workshops to be detailed soon

Community Focus

These taster workshops are launched following a series of successful pilots met with great enthusiasm by a wide diversity of participants. The workshops are designed with the community in mind, to promote diversity and inclusion while opening our doors to underrepresented audiences in the heritage world, as well as people from disadvantaged backgrounds who may not have had access to them before. Participants will also enjoy an introductory talk about Union Chapel’s iconic building and legacy and be some of the first members of the public invited into the Sunday School Hall during its transformation into a community hub due to open in late 2025.

Restoration Efforts and Grant Support

Union Chapel’s Sunday School Hall, which historically provided education to children from disadvantaged backgrounds, is undergoing vital restoration. Thanks to a £1,304,500 grant from The National Lottery Heritage Fund and National Lottery Players, the building’s unique architecture and heritage will be preserved for generations to come. The Heritage Building workshops have been supported by the Heritage Fund.

Additionally, a grant of £150,000 from the City Bridge Foundation, London’s largest independent charity funder, has been secured to implement accessibility elements in the newly restored space, to ensure it spearheads accessibility for disabled, hearing and visually impaired and neurodiverse audiences in a listed building.

Support from the Islington Archaeology & History Society preserving Union Chapel’s Hidden Archive

Union Chapel is grateful to the Islington Archaeology & History Society for their generous donation of £1,000 towards digitising and cataloguing its 200+ year archive. This collection includes records, books, artefacts, artwork, and memorabilia, offering a treasure trove of stories about Nonconformist Christians and their 100-year journey from persecution to establishment. It also provides insights into real local people's lives and Union Chapel's evolution into one of the UK’s most respected music venues.

The funding will help preserve and make this archive accessible to the public, allowing the community to engage with and explore their local heritage.

Community Contributions: Tag A Tile Campaign

Thanks to the Tag A Tile initiative, an additional £300 has been raised for essential repairs to the Sunday School Hall. Donors left heartfelt messages on tiles, including architectural sketches of Union Chapel, messages of love, inspirational quotes, children's drawings, and even the outline of a young visitor’s feet. These contributions will support the restoration and transformation of the space into a heritage-led community hub, amplifying the voices of underrepresented groups.

To Join The Workshops:

Be a part of this exciting chapter in Union Chapel’s history by joining the workshops. Each session runs from 9 am - 3 pm at Union Chapel's Sunday School Hall, which has its entrance at the back of Union Chapel on Compton Avenue, N1 2XD.

Reserve your place for free today: Union Chapel Heritage Workshops.