Belvoir Street Chapel facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Hansom Hall |
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| 52°37′56″N 1°07′56″W / 52.6322985°N 1.1322072°W@ | |
| Location | Leicester, England, UK |
| History | |
| Former name(s) | Belvoir Street Chapel |
| Status | adaptive reuse |
| Architecture | |
| Heritage designation | Grade II listed |
| Designated | 5 January 1950 |
| Architect(s) | Joseph Hansom |
| Completed | 1845 |
Hansom Hall is a historic building in the city of Leicester, England. It was first built as a church called the Belvoir Street Chapel. Because of its round shape and flat roof, people gave it the funny nickname the Pork Pie Chapel. Today, it is named Hansom Hall after the man who designed it and is used as a place for learning.
During the 1800s, Leicester had a large number of non-conformist churches. These were places of worship for groups like the Baptists who had their own beliefs separate from the main Church of England. Many new chapels were built across the city during this time.
Contents
History of the Pork Pie Chapel
Why is it called the 'Pork Pie Chapel'?
The chapel was built in 1845 on Belvoir Street in Leicester City Centre. It was designed by an architect named Joseph Hansom. His design was very unusual for a church. It was circular with a flat roof, which made it look a lot like a pork pie, a popular food in the area. The nickname "Pork Pie Chapel" quickly became popular with local people and is still used today.
From a Church to a College
The building served as a Baptist church for about 100 years. In 1947, the church members joined with another local church, the Charles Street Chapel. After the congregation moved, the building was sold.
To honor its designer, the chapel was renamed Hansom Hall. It was given a new purpose as a center for adult education. Today, it is part of the Leicester Vaughan College, where people can take a variety of courses.
A Protected Building
Because of its unique design and historical importance, Hansom Hall was made a Grade II listed building on January 5, 1950. This special status means the building is protected by law. It cannot be changed or torn down without special permission. This helps make sure that this interesting piece of Leicester's history is preserved for the future.
See also
- List of Baptist churches in England
