Yorkshire Sculpture Park (YSP) is campaigning to save one of the oldest surviving buildings on the Bretton Estate and transform it into a gallery space.
The 270-year-old YSP Chapel is in an urgent state of repair and must be restored soon, in order to keep it open to the public.
The Park’s fundraisers have secured financial support from English Heritage, Country Houses Foundation, The Wolfson Foundation and The Pilgrim Trust but are £100,000 short of the £500,000 needed to complete the full restoration plan. They are now asking visitors and supporters to give whatever they can to help reach the total.
Built in 1744 by Sir William Wentworth, the Georgian sandstone chapel is a historically important part of the Bretton Estate. Nestled within the YSP Country Park, the Grade II* listed building was at the heart of life on the estate during the 18th and 19th centuries.
Renovation plans include replacing the roof, making extensive structural repairs and installing heating. An improved path from YSP Centre and disabled access to the building is also in the pipeline.
Visit www.ysp.co.uk/chapel to donate or learn more about the project and go to www.facebook.com/yorkshiresculpturepark to follow the timeline. Twitter users can track the campaign by following @YSPsculpture and #saveyspchapel.