| Description | Zion Chapel, George Street, Wakefield.
'1844 dated in rear entrance bay below plaque giving date 1782 of predecessor. Tall building, almost square in shape and somewhat Italian in style. One storey and sunk basement. 5 bays on south front, 7 on returns. Ashlar with pilaster bay divisions supporting architraves above window recesses. Very tall round headed windows, with margin lights and circle pattern in heads, small panes within. Main entablature has frieze with medallions and bracketed cornice. Parapet has raised, pedimented centre, ZION in relief letters. Wider central front recess has window head above, long double door below in architrave with pulvinated frieze, cornice and pediment. Pilasters rest on band above basement storey which has low sash windows. One storey and basement, 2 bay lodge of similar materials with hipped slate roof'.
(English Heritage listed building description. Date listed 30/03/1971. Date amended 01/02/1979. http://list.english heritage.org.uk/resultsingle.aspx?uid=1259788. Web site accessed 14/11/2013).
WYAAS archives holds a copy of a document entitled 'Zion United Reform Church. Wakefield. 1782 1982. A historical sketch' (Goodchild, J and Gilbey, J. 1982).
The Zion Chapel was the subject of a photographic recording survey David Michelmore (Consultancy and Conservation for Historic Buildings) in 2004. This recording of the building and grave memorials was undertaken probably in response to Wakefield Council planning reference number 03/99/18662/B ('Extension and conversion of chapel to form residential apartments with internal car parking'). In addition to the photographic images produced by the survey, the survey report contains a record sheet of gravestones, plans, historic photographs and a plan of the gravestone locations (Michelmore, D. 2004).
The specification for building recording was provided by Peter Thornborrow (Senior Historic Buildings Officer. WYAS).
The archaeological interest, according to Thornborrow is found in the principal three faces of the chapel which form a continuous arcade of linked window arches, seven bay returns with a monumental five bays symmetrical front. These windows unusually retain their original pattern of glazing with small panes, where the glass appears to be opaque, framed by coloured glass circular margin lights (in two colours). Running around the eaves of the building is a bold projecting cornice and a deep blocking course. The rear of the building is brick with part covered by a concrete render. Above the rear door are date plaques recording 1782 and 1844. The building has a storey that retains its original 16 paned sashes (without horns and doorways at each end. This is set in a deep well on the west side (Rodney Yard) bounded by a low wall set with iron spearhead railings. Thornborrow makes reference to a detailed report accompanying the application. There is an incomplete copy of this report in the WYAAS archives; the sections held include plans and elevation drawings, copies of photographic prints and sections of text relating to the building's history and condition (Cartwright Packard Architects. 2003). Thornborrow draws attention to the fine woodwork, especially the pulpit. The church largely was gutted at the time of Thornborrow's consultation. What remain are the raised dais platform of the former pulpit area and the low projecting gallery above the choir and organist. The U shaped gallery also remains with its decorated front, and is supported on cast iron columns with decorated capitals. The gallery is approached via two staircases, one in each corner of the south entrance side, with cast iron balusters. This entrance vestibule is is stone flagged. Stepped platforms on the south side of the show where the pews once stood. The north end is dominated by its organ pipes. |