A historic church by Pulteney Bridge in Bath could see renovations to bring it back into community or commercial use.
The former United Reform Church on Argyle Street in Bath | Photo © Google Street View
The United Reform Church on Argyle Street opened its doors to religious nonconformists in 1790 and remained a place of worship for the next 230 years until it finally closed in 2020 during the Covid pandemic.
The historic building was sold to Bath-based Bedstone Developments in June.
Developers have now submitted an application to Bath and North East Somerset Council for renovations to the church.
A planning statement submitted with the application said: “This proposal has been formulated to maximise the prospects of finding an alternative viable use for the former church.”
The statement added: “The re-use of this iconic and centrally located building is clearly in the public interest, and in turn could support the post-Covid pandemic recovery that will be required to re-invigorate Bath’s local economy and also ensure that this listed building is brought back into viable use.”
The complex of vestries and halls which developed over the years behind the church as a Sunday School are set to be the subject of a future planning application to turn them into apartments.
But developers say they want to find a new use for the main chapel to keep it in community or commercial use.
A heritage statement submitted with the application said: “The chapel however is facing an uncertain future. For the first time in its life, it is no longer in use as an ecclesiastical building.”
“The key will be in finding a suitable alternative new use for the preaching hall. Large chapels can lend themselves to a change of use to a variety of new purposes.
“A museum, art gallery or studio could be sympathetic. It might also be possible to use the main preaching hall as a theatre or concert hall. Open-plan office space or specialist retailing could be feasible.
“Most of the above however would likely depend upon removal or rearrangement of the existing ground floor pews. However, it should be possible to retain other fittings including the pulpit, organ and stained glass.”
Other works to the building include a “historically accurate” reinstatement of the original staircase, the removal of the gent’s toilets on the ground floor, and replacing a side door and vent on the 1887 side extension with a “traditionally constructed painted hardwood six panel door” as set out in the original design at that time.
The United Reform Church still has two congregations in Bath, at Avondale Buildings in Larkhall and at Frome Road on Rush Hill.
The money from the sale of the Argyle Street chapel is to be reinvested in these spaces, the planning statement said.
You can view and comment on the change of use application here.
The listed building consent application for associated internal and external works can be viewed and commented on here.
John Wimperis, Local Democracy Reporter
