John Moore Museum regenerates important 15th century building with Heritage Lottery Fund investment.

The John Moore Museum in Tewkesbury, Gloucestershire has received a grant of £189,500 from the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF), it was announced today. Alongside other funds that have already been raised and pledged,the grant will enable the museum to refurbish the Old Baptist Chapel, a Grade II* listed building which is believed to be the earliest Baptist meeting house in the UK.The project, which will cost £250,000 in total, starts in April and is due to run until May 2018.

Simon Lawton, curator, said: “The Chapel is such a beautiful building and in its way as vital to our local heritage as our abbey. The Heritage Lottery Fund grant will enable us to give the building a facelift and make it much more user friendly. We’ll also be opening it up for hire to local groups so that the town gets full use of this important, yet hidden, architectural gem.”

The project has taken over two years of planning and consultation with the local community, including the Tewkesbury Baptist Church who own the buildingand Tewkesbury Borough Council who were the former lease holders. The aim is to repair and restore the building for future generations so that everyone can explore this fascinating part of our national heritage.

The Chapel will have new interpretation, including an exciting computer generated reconstruction of a coded minute book, as well as a bespoke kitchen and toilet. New heating and lighting will be installed too. Later in the year a full programme of educational events will begin.

Nerys Watts, Head of Heritage Lottery Fund South West, said: “Thanks to money raised by National Lottery players, we’re delighted to support the John Moore Museum as they bring their historic chapel back into use for the community and visitors to enjoy. We’re particularly impressed by the volunteering and educational opportunities the project offers and the heritage attraction and community space promises to benefit even more people.”

The museum and the chapel are run by The Abbey Lawn Trust, a registered charity with 70 years' experience of preserving historic buildings in Tewkesbury. The Trust owns 23 properties within the precincts of Tewkesbury Abbey, which, with one exception, are all listed by English Heritage, the great majority as Grade I. These buildings include one of only two surviving English ranges of medieval timber framed houses and former shops dating from the 15th century.
Tewkesbury Borough Council’s Asset Manager Andy Noble said: “We’re really pleased to have worked so closely with Abbey Lawns Trust and the Old Baptist Trustees on this project, which opens up the fantastic opportunity for members of the public to access and use this historic building. We wish the trust every success in its future venture, and we will continue to work very closely with everyone involved to ensure the site and the surrounding area is maintained and able to be enjoyed by those who visit.”