Sutton Beauty Web Log – Introduction

This blog documents news and events in Sutton, St.Helens relevant to the sites and buildings of special interest featured in Sutton Beauty.


It's 'Heaven' at the Chapel in Sutton Oak!

01 May 2008         Category:  Sutton Churches, St.Helens
Heaven - Big Art Little Arts Project at Sutton Oak Welsh Chapel, St.Helens
Some would say that the 163 year old Sutton Oak Welsh Chapel in Lancots Lane is as close to heaven as you're likely to get in Sutton! Not only is it once again a place of worship and hotbed of community activity but there's few other buildings in St.Helens to match it in terms of its heritage. So it was quite appropriate that Leo Fitzmaurice's huge mobile road sign 'Heaven' should be exhibited outside the revered non-denominational church on Tuesday and Wednesday of this week. It's all part of the Big Art Little Arts Project, which is a community spin off from the Channel 4 Big Art Project in Sutton Manor, which will be hitting our screens at the end of this year.

Pictured with Fitzmaurice's creation is Paul Jones, the energetic chairman of the Sutton Oak Welsh Chapel Preservation Society. With his partner Caroline Owen and a small team of volunteers, Paul has worked wonders in making badly needed improvements to the building that was constructed in 1845 from industrial waste. As previously reported here, the restoration is a work in progress with plenty more to do but great strides have been made.

Ten days ago there was an attempt to break into the building which was foiled by Paul having spent 15 years in the security industry. Although the front door to no.2 Lancots Lane was kicked in, the presence of alarms and CCTV deterred the unwanted visitors. "I was out of our front door and at the chapel in 2 minutes flat" says Paul after being tipped off about the break-in.


The Welsh dragon flag at Sutton Oak Welsh Chapel, St.Helens

   The Welsh dragon is back in Sutton Oak!  Flag outside the chapel's entrance.


Last Saturday night (26th April) the chapel held its Titanic Night with the New Street Singers performing, which went down well (pun intended!). More badly needed funds were raised to help in the preservation of the historic building and Paul and Caroline have plenty more fund-raising ideas up their sleeves, including an extension of their refreshments service. The chapel has been open for visitors every Wednesday and Friday for a year or so now with teas and coffees served inside. Now tables and chairs have been obtained and soon visitors will be able to sit outside and enjoy their beverages whilst watching the Sutton Oak world go by. A bit like the street cafés of Amsterdam, if only a very little bit!

Plus Paul is close to finalising arrangements for the resumption of the Sunday services with a number of Welsh ministers all keen to conduct non-denominational services. As Paul says:

              Pasted Graphic 7 The Welsh are back again in our chapel - great!!! Pasted Graphic 8


Paul Jones with Heaven - Big Art Little Arts Project at Sutton Oak Welsh Chapel, St.Helens
Chairman of Sutton Oak Welsh Chapel Preservation Society Paul Jones with Leo Fitzmaurice's mobile road sign 'Heaven'

Sutton Oak Welsh Chapel Visiting Hours:

Wednesday 10.30am - 4.30pm and Friday 9.30am - 4.30pm.
The Welsh Chapel Arts & Crafts Group meet every Friday at 6 - 8pm

UPDATE  An article on the Chapel has been published in Whalley's World in today's St.Helens Star. Read it HERE.

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Heaven at the Sutton Oak Welsh Chapel - Sutton - St.Helens - Sutton Beauty