Hermon Chapel in Oswestry reborn as an entertainment venue

But that is exactly what is happening at Hermon Chapel in Oswestry thanks to the hard work and vision of the building's owner Duncan Kerr.

Mr Kerr, a social worker who also serves as a councillor on Oswestry Town Council, has worked on transforming the building in Chapel Street over four years into a premises for public meetings, music performance and movie screenings.

With all the correct licensing and planning permission in place Mr Kerr, 53, who lives in the former Sunday School building behind the chapel, says his labour of love is now paying off and he has announced a series of events will take place at the venue over the coming months.

Among the upcoming events is a series of gigs from local bands including a performance Thom and Crisbee this Saturday and Hut People on May 31.

Regular movie screenings are now also taking place.

Mr Kerr said he was delighted to bring the church back into use for the wider public after falling in love with the property, its design and its history.

He said: "Built in 1862 Hermon Chapel was designed by the self-taught preacher, carpenter and architect Thomas Thomas.

"English Heritage have given it a Grade 2 listing, a status reached by just one in twenty of all listed buildings. In Oswestry there are only three other properties in this category, one being St Oswald's church.

"To appreciate the building we have to try and imagine what life was like in the Victorian age when Oswestry had a large Welsh-speaking, non-conformist population who outgrew their first chapel, built in 1842, and set their hearts on opening a new chapel on the 250th anniversary of the ejection of the non-conforming clergy.

"Full of confidence they appointed an architect who understood their vision and chose the name Hermon from the mountain associated with the transfiguration."

Mr Kerr said after serving the community for generations, the chapel struggled to find a use and was put up for auction in 2009.

He said: "That weekend I was on a visit to Oswestry, viewed it on a whim and fell for it hook, line and sinker.

"It is a beguiling beautiful building.

"Like Hermon, my own life had experiences some changes as I had recently decided to relinquish the works of large desks and laptops and move up from being a council chief executive to re-train as a children's social worker.

"I wanted to learn more about re-building communities so we increase our capacity to overcome the big challenges of our age such as climate change and inequality.

"In management speak they called it "Social Capital" and Hermon had it in spades.

"It has taken four years to ride the rollercoaster of red tape as we sort out the planning, licensing and listed building issues.

"I hope we have retained the character of the chapel whilst making it safe and comfortable for twenty-first century tastes.

"Outside we've put a smile back on Hermon with fresh paint and re-installed the original railings lost in the Second World War.

"Inside a few pews have been removed for storage and the rest upgraded with comfortable padded seats and backs, which would probably have shocked the Victorians.

"Thanks to some design ideas and inspiration from my partner Olly, there's now a bar area, two toilets, a massive drop-down screen, an awesome PA, plush curtains and the former Sunday school is now a cosy apartment.

"The next big step in the continuing journey will be the installation of a wood chip boiler and full central heating system later this year so that Hermon will then is doing his bit to reduce our reliance on fossil fuels.

"Currently we are showing films without admission charges on each Thursday and bands on most Saturdays.

"Hermon is already sparking lively discussions and provided fertile ground for people to form various environmental groups.

"We have some exciting plans for theatre productions, art exhibitions, musical and more "happenings".

"As part of Arts Alive we will be bringing nationally known artists such as John Hegley and Robyn Hitchcock to Oswestry. The chapel is also available for private hire.

"After 150 years Hermon is now rising again and becoming known right across the county."