Celebrate a new era for the historic Grove Gardens Chapel

Residents are invited to join in the celebrations of the restoration of Grove Gardens Chapel at the Old Burial Ground, Richmond. The 150-year-old Chapel has recently undergone extensive restoration and repair and has been brought back to life for the community to use once more, starting with the opening day on Saturday 7 March 2026.

Councillor Julia Neden-Watts, Deputy Leader and Chair of the Environment, Sustainability, Culture and Sports Services Committee said: 

"Grove Gardens Chapel is an architectural gem. Following careful restoration, it’s ready to welcome visitors again. It’s delightful to see this beautiful chapel back in community use, to be enjoyed and celebrated for many years to come.

"It’s fitting that alongside community activities, it will host our new reuse and repair hub."

Habitats & Heritage, a local charity dedicated to protecting local landscapes, wildlife and historic structures, undertook the restoration project.

Paul Jennings, CEO of Habitats & Heritage said:

"With support from the UK Shared Prosperity Fund, Historic England and Richmond Council we are excited to see this special place returning to community use.

"At Habitats & Heritage we work to inspire a love of local places, and what better way to do that than hosting cinema screenings, talks, performance, art activities, meetings, bat walks, nature conservation and so much more, in this charming chapel."

The chapel, built between 1875 and 1877 to serve the area’s rapidly growing population, is nestled comfortably in its beautiful, wildlife-rich setting. However, by the mid-1990s it had fallen into disrepair, with a collapsed roof, rotting timbers, and birds nesting inside. Funding from the National Heritage Lottery supported the major restoration works, including a new roof, replacement of the stained glass and the repair of mosaics and tiles. 

More recently, thanks to a successful bid to the UK Shared Prosperity Fund and the work of Habitats & Heritage, the foundations of the chapel have now been stabilised and the structure secured, paving the way for renewed community use.

As a real example of repair, the Chapel will celebrate its revival during Repair Week, 2 to 8 March 2026. In addition to being used for community activities, the Council will be taking up lease for two days a week for a new community repair and reuse hub, aptly named The Fixery.

Local residents are invited to celebrate the completion of the restoration of the chapel, the opening of The Fixery and enjoy a range of activities on Saturday 7 March 2026, 11am to 4pm.

Visitors can bring small household or electrical items to get repaired for a small donation, bring clothes to swap and refresh their wardrobe, purchase pre-loved teddy-bears and craft materials, and meet other local residents over a coffee.
Habitats & Heritage will be running free activities such as a talk on the chapel and a nature conservation volunteering taster session.

Read more about the history of the chapel and sign up to the Habitats & Heritage monthly newsletter to keep up to date with other events at the Chapel.

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