Octagon Chapel, Bath

Last updated

Octagon Chapel
The Octagon Bath.jpg
A photograph of the Mallett Showrooms at the Octagon Chapel, circa 1900.
Location39 Milsom Street, Bath, Somerset BA1 1DS, England
Coordinates 51°23′02″N2°21′41″W / 51.38389°N 2.36139°W / 51.38389; -2.36139
Built1767
Architect Timothy Lightholder
Listed Building – Grade II*
Designated14 July 1955 [1]
Reference no.1396027
Somerset UK location map.svg
Red pog.svg
Location of Octagon Chapel in Somerset

The Octagon Chapel in Milsom Street, Bath, Somerset, England was built in 1767 and has been designated as a Grade II* listed building. [1]

History

The building was designed as a church by the architect Timothy Lightholder (or Lightoler), [1] whose specific brief was to produce a structure which would be warm, comfortable and well lit. The Octagon fulfilled all of these requirements, and it became a fashionable church. Eminent and distinguished visitors, including Jane Austen, [2] made a point of engaging a pew for as long as they stayed in the city, hiring it at the same time as they hired their lodgings. The most expensive of these were like small rooms, each with its own fireplace and easy chairs. [3] Between service and sermon, an interval was allowed during which footmen poked the fires and saw that their master and mistress were comfortable. The church, as a popular venue to "see and be seen", was not popular with The 'Enthusiastics', later known as Methodists. [4]

William Herschel was appointed as the organist in 1766 and gave his introductory concert on 1 January 1767. [5] As the organ was still incomplete he performed his own compositions including a violin concerto, an oboe concerto and a harpsichord sonata. The organ was completed in October 1767. [5] The organ was built by John Snetzler. Part of the keyboards and pipes have survived and are on display at the Herschel Museum of Astronomy. [6]

In 1858 William Connor Magee published a book of sermons he had given at the chapel. [7]

The vaults of this building were let out to a wine merchant, which gave rise to the verses by Christopher Anstey:

Spirits above and spirits below,
Spirits of Bliss and spirits of woe,
The spirits above are spirits Divine,
The spirits below are spirits of wine.

Since the building was leasehold, it was never consecrated, so when it fell into disuse in the 1890s Mallett Antiques took it over. New showrooms were linked into each side of the church, with workshops and storage in the basement. A gas engine was installed to drive the polishing lathes, work the lift, make the electric light and, by means of a fan, circulate air through every part of the building.

Mallets was described in Drapers Record, 26 December 1908, as 'the most sumptuous shop in Europe, the wares of which include practically priceless curios and treasures of historic association. Probably not under one roof may be found more millionaires in the course of a year than at Mallett's, in Bath, in the whole of the Kingdom.'

In World War II it was used as a food office and after the war was restored, opening as an art exhibition space for the Bath Festival of 1951. [8]

It later served as the headquarters of the Royal Photographic Society. [9]

In 2004 the local authority, Bath and North East Somerset announced a deal with the L and R Group to convert much of the site to retail and restaurant use but ensure the Grade II* listed building was maintained and improved. In 2008 to 2009 the old showrooms were converted for retail and restaurant use but the original Octagon Chapel remained unfurnished and with no permanent tenant for some years and was used frequently for exhibitions, art shows, retail, catering, events and festivals. [10] In 2015 the former chapel became a Burger & Lobster restaurant. However this closed in January 2017. [11]

As of March 2019, the Octagon Chapel is leased as a bar and restaurant to The Botanist.

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">William Herschel</span> German-born British astronomer and composer (1738–1822)

Frederick William Herschel was a German-born British astronomer and composer. He frequently collaborated with his younger sister and fellow astronomer Caroline Herschel. Born in the Electorate of Hanover, William Herschel followed his father into the military band of Hanover, before emigrating to Great Britain in 1757 at the age of nineteen.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bath, Somerset</span> City in Somerset, England

Bath is a city and unparished area in the Bath and North East Somerset unitary area in the ceremonial county of Somerset, England, known for and named after its Roman-built baths. At the 2021 Census, the population was 101,557. Bath is in the valley of the River Avon, 97 miles (156 km) west of London and 11 miles (18 km) southeast of Bristol. The city became a World Heritage Site in 1987, and was later added to the transnational World Heritage Site known as the "Great Spa Towns of Europe" in 2021. Bath is also the largest city and settlement in Somerset.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bath Abbey</span> Church in Somerset, England

The Abbey Church of Saint Peter and Saint Paul, commonly known as Bath Abbey, is a parish church of the Church of England and former Benedictine monastery in Bath, Somerset, England. Founded in the 7th century, it was reorganised in the 10th century and rebuilt in the 12th and 16th centuries; major restoration work was carried out by Sir George Gilbert Scott in the 1860s. It is one of the largest examples of Perpendicular Gothic architecture in the West Country. The medieval abbey church served as a sometime cathedral of a bishop. After long contention between churchmen in Bath and Wells the seat of the Diocese of Bath and Wells was later consolidated at Wells Cathedral. The Benedictine community was dissolved in 1539 during the Dissolution of the Monasteries.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bath Assembly Rooms</span> Grade I listed building in Bath, England

The Bath Assembly Rooms, designed by John Wood the Younger in 1769, are a set of assembly rooms located in the heart of the World Heritage City of Bath in England which are now open to the public as a visitor attraction. They are designated as a Grade I listed building.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Church of All Souls, Bolton</span> Church in Greater Manchester, England

The Church of All Souls is a redundant Anglican church in Astley Street, Astley Bridge, Bolton, Lancashire, England. It is recorded in the National Heritage List for England as a designated Grade II* listed building, and is under the care of the Churches Conservation Trust. As of 2010, the church is being converted into a community centre.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">John Snetzler</span> Swiss organ builder (1710–1785)

John Snetzler was an organ builder of Swiss origin, who worked mostly in England. Born in Schaffhausen in 1710, he trained with the firm of Egedacher in Passau and came to London about 1741. When he retired in 1781, his business continued and ended up with Thomas Elliot. Snetzler died in Schaffhausen on 28 September 1785.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Grade I listed buildings in Somerset</span> Buildings of exceptional interest in Somerset

The Grade I listed buildings in Somerset, England, demonstrate the history and diversity of its architecture. The ceremonial county of Somerset consists of a non-metropolitan county, administered by Somerset County Council, which is divided into five districts, and two unitary authorities. The districts of Somerset are West Somerset, South Somerset, Taunton Deane, Mendip and Sedgemoor. The two administratively independent unitary authorities, which were established on 1 April 1996 following the breakup of the county of Avon, are North Somerset and Bath and North East Somerset. These unitary authorities include areas that were once part of Somerset before the creation of Avon in 1974.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">St Bridget's Church, Chelvey</span> Church in Somerset, England

St. Bridget's Church in Chelvey, Brockley, Somerset, England dates from the 12th century, and has been designated by English Heritage as a Grade I listed building.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Church of St James, Winscombe</span> Church in Somerset, England

The Church of St James in Winscombe, Somerset, England, has 12th- or 13th-century origins but the present building dates from the 15th century. It is a Grade I listed building.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Church of St Andrew & St Mary, Pitminster</span> Church in Somerset, England

The Church of St Andrew & St Mary in Pitminster, Somerset, England was built around 1300 and has been designated as a Grade I listed building.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">St Mary's Church, Bridgwater</span> Church in Somerset, England

The ParishChurch of St Mary, more commonly known as St Mary's, is the main Church of England parish church for the town of Bridgwater, Somerset. Originally founded well before the Norman Conquest, the present church is a large and imposing structure dating primarily from the 14th and 15th centuries, with both earlier remains and later additions.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Church of St Peter and St Paul, Muchelney</span> Church in Somerset, England

The Church of St Peter and St Paul in Muchelney, Somerset, England, has Saxon origins, however the current building largely dates from the 15th century. It has been designated as a Grade I listed building.

Mallett Antiques is an "antiques" dealer with galleries in London and New York who regularly exhibit at the International Fine Art & Antique Fairs.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Milsom Street, Bath</span> Historic site in Somerset, England

Milsom Street in Bath, Somerset, England was built in 1762 by Thomas Lightholder. The buildings were originally grand town houses, but most are now used as shops, offices and banks. Most have three storeys with mansard roofs and Corinthian columns.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Trim Street, Bath</span> Historic site in Somerset, England

Trim Street in Bath, Somerset, England is an historic street, built in 1707, of shops and houses, many of which are listed buildings. It was named after George Trim who owned the land.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Buildings and architecture of Bath</span> Permanent structures including significant examples of English architecture from the Roman Baths

The buildings and architecture of Bath, a city in Somerset in the south west of England, reveal significant examples of the architecture of England, from the Roman Baths, to the present day. The city became a World Heritage Site in 1987, largely because of its architectural history and the way in which the city landscape draws together public and private buildings and spaces. The many examples of Palladian architecture are purposefully integrated with the urban spaces to provide "picturesque aestheticism". In 2021, the city was added to a second World Heritage Site, a group of historic spa towns across Europe known as the "Great Spas of Europe". Bath is the only entire city in Britain to achieve World Heritage status, and is a popular tourist destination.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Timeline of Bath, Somerset</span> History

The following is a timeline of the history of the city of Bath, Somerset, England.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Church of St Francis, Stawell</span> Church in Somerset, England

The Anglican Church of St Francis in Stawell, Somerset, England was built in the 13th century. It is a Grade II* listed building.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Christ Church, Theale</span> Church in Somerset, England

Christ Church is a Church of England church in Theale, Somerset, England. It was built in 1826–28 to the design of Richard Carver and is a Grade II listed building.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Holy Trinity Church, Blackford</span> Church in Somerset, England

Holy Trinity Church is a Church of England church in Blackford, Somerset, England. It was built in 1821–23 to the designs of Richard Carver and has been a Grade II listed building since 1961.

References

  1. 1 2 3 Historic England. "Octagon Chapel (1396027)". National Heritage List for England . Retrieved 23 May 2013.
  2. ↑ "December in Regency Bath". Jane Austen Centre. Retrieved 18 July 2009.
  3. ↑ "Chapter XI". A celebration of Women Writers. University of Pennsylvania. Retrieved 18 July 2009.
  4. ↑ Aldous, Tony (August 1987). "Lady Huntingdon's Chapel". History Today. 37 (8): 2–3.
  5. 1 2 "Bath". The British Society for the History of Mathematics. Retrieved 18 July 2009.
  6. ↑ "Herschel Museum". Bath Preservation Trust. Retrieved 18 July 2009.
  7. ↑ Magee, William Connor (1858). Sermons at the Octagon chapel, Bath (2nd ed.).
  8. ↑ Borsay, Peter (2000). The Image of Georgian Bath, 1700–2000. Oxford University Press. p. 176. ISBN   978-0-19-820265-3.
  9. ↑ "Octagon's up for hire". Bath Chronicle. This is Bath. 11 February 2009. Retrieved 18 July 2009.
  10. ↑ "The Octagon, Bath" (PDF). RLG architects. 2009. Archived from the original (PDF) on 26 March 2010. Retrieved 18 July 2009.
  11. ↑ "Shock announcement made by Burger & Lobster about Bath restaurant". Bath Chronicle. 30 January 2017. Retrieved 3 February 2017.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.