AFTER years of dereliction, one of Monmouth's finest buildings is about to undergo restoration. Glendower Street's Congregational Chapel, closed for upwards of 25 years, has been a cause of concern to local planners, conservationists and residents.
The Grade II listed church was built by Armstrong of Bristol on the model of one of his other classical designs there. With its structure and burial ground protected by historic buildings regulations, it presented a challenge for commercial or residential conversion to modern use.
The church has now been acquired by interior designer Tony Sully, head of design at the University of Glamorgan at Pontypridd, and wife Penny – also an interior designer. Together they have agreed plans with the county council to turn it into their own future home.
With a grant of £250,000 from Caddw/ Welsh Heritage, they will be preserving the external fabric and many internal fittings.
"We have also agreed with the Home Office to re-lay the tombstones vertically around the walls of the graveyard so they will be available to those tracing family histories and so forth," Tony Scully told the Review.
"We have also agreed with the county council to have rear access from the car park."
He has given talks and displayed plans of the proposed works to local societies such as the Monmouth Field and Antiquarian Society.
When work begins next month, the Scullys will be able to keep a close eye on progress.
"I was playing cricket at Ruardean Hill last summer and bumped into someone who said he had a house to let in Monmouth.
"It turned out to be immediately opposite the chapel, so we have been living there while sorting out the details."