19th-century chapel in Peak District heads to auction

The old Congregational Chapel in Middleton, near Matlock, Derbyshire, is going up for auction next year.

The 19th-century chapel is being auctioned by Mark Jenkinson, a Sheffield-based auction house, with a guide price of £175,000.

The property, which includes the former church nave, school room, kitchen, cloakroom, and toilets, is made of stone and is on a 0.35-acre site.

The 2,500 sq ft building served as a place of worship for the Congregational Church and had ties to Oliver Cromwell, dating back to the 16th century.

Adrian Little, director at auctioneer Mark Jenkinson, said: “The chapel is a landmark property in a sought-after village on the fringes of the Peak District National Park so this is quite a rare opportunity to purchase an unusual historic building in a fantastic location.”

 “Middleton itself is a stone’s throw from the market town of Wirksworth and close to excellent facilities in Matlock, as well as being on the doorstep of the Peak District and the popular High Peak Cycle Trail. While there is no planning consent for change of use for the building in place currently, there are several creative options, from residential to business use, that, subject to gaining the relevant planning permissions, would enable a buyer to realise the huge potential of the former chapel and reinstate it as an asset to the village.”