Positive talks have been held on the restoration of Agecroft Mortuary Chapel, with some Salforians suggesting it should become a florist or a community centre.
During a Salford City Council meeting, Salfordians were encouraged to give their opinions about how the Chapel could be renovated to better serve the community.
Agecroft Chapel was built in 1903 and has stood as a prominent landmark in Salford until its closure in the 1980s. Since then, it has suffered from deterioration, leading to its inclusion on the Victorian Society’s list of endangered buildings.
The historic building had to be fenced off a year ago after members of the public entered the chapel, smashing windows and reportedly holding satanic rituals.
Agecroft Chapel Restoration Association (ACRA) was formed in 2022 in response to the declining condition of the chapel. As an official charity, they can apply for grants and organise fundraising events.
Glenn Kennedy, former spokesperson and liaison for ACRA, has spoken about the council’s involvement in the project. He said: “Salford Council have appointed a Heritage officer, which we’ve not had in Salford for a long, long time.
“The Heritage officer is a lady called Jo O’Hara and she’s overseeing all the heritage buildings and everything, anything to landmarks and stuff that’s related to Salford and trying to save them. That’s her job, working with the community.”
Salford City Council has been actively pushing for the restoration project by holding events at the chapel.
In September, Salford residents were invited to visit the chapel, with a tour guide to explain the history of the building, as well as a Q&A. A drop-in event was also held last week for people who wanted to have a look around the chapel and ask any questions.
Kennedy was present at the Salford City Council meeting. “The consensus of everyone who attended was that the chapel should be restored, saved and restored. That was not in question. The council was fully supportive of that action and everyone in attendance, the local community who attended, people from all walks of life who attended the meeting were the same.
They felt that it was the right thing that this chapel and other historic buildings in and around Salford should now be saved,” he said.
The idea of the project is not just to improve the building aesthetically. Among the ideas for the Agecroft Chapel’s repurposing included ideas that it could be turned into a café, a space for community events or a florist, so that people can easily buy flowers when mourning loved ones at the cemetery. All these proposals aim to take pressure off the crematorium for services.
It is hoped that the discussion from the council meeting will lead to plans being drawn up and implemented in the near future.
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