The council finally listened and agreed to turn St Olave's into a proper Viking Heritage Centre instead of letting it rot. This win proves that when we refuse to let these bureaucrats ignore our history, we actually get results. Keep a close watch on them to ensure they follow through …
November 11, 2015
Final supporters
Viking Chester group is encouraging people to sign a petition to save St Olave's Church. The campaign has been launched to persuade Cheshire West and Chester Council to convert an 11th century Scandinavian church into a Viking Heritage Centre.
The church was founded in the 11th century. Its dedication is to Saint Olaf, a Norwegian king. At the time that the church was founded, the area around Lower Bridge Street was largely occupied by Scandinavians, and it is thought this is the reason for the dedication.
The present church building dates from 1611. In 1841 the parish of St Olave's was united with that of St Michael’s. It was declared redundant by the Church of England on October 3, 1972.
Viking Chester is keen to find a new future for the building as a ‘Viking Heritage Centre’. The group is keen to work with interested parties across Chester and beyond to find a solution for the building including Big Heritage, The Centre for the Study of Viking Age at University of Nottingham, Cheshire West Museum Service, two groups from Norway and anyone else who is interested in saving the building. The public can show their support by signing the online petition or by visiting St John's Church by the amphitheater in Chester and signing the paper-based version of the petition.
To get more actively involved in the group and the campaign please email us at [email protected] Viking Chester is currently working up an outline business plan for the Building and hope to have meaningful discussions with the local authority this autumn. Please check out website at www.vikingchester.com
Updates
September 5, 2015
Cheshire West and Chester Council continues to ignore the history rotting right under their noses while they let this building crumble. We are currently scouting for legal experts to force their hand because bureaucratic silence is not an acceptable response to the destruction of our heritage.
September 5, 2015
Cheshire West and Chester Council cannot ignore this groundswell of support for St Olave any longer. We have officially proven that the public demands preservation for this site instead of letting it rot in silence.
Reached 100 supporters
September 5, 2015
147 Comments
St.Olaves church in Chester must not fall into the hands of developers. Instead, this ancient building should be used for the purposes of historical research namely VIKING. Please don't let this truly special building turn into flats for the disgustingly wealthy. Give it to the people. let the world know of Chesters viking heritage
The supporting metal has long been a eyesore in Lower Bridge Street. CWAC need to recognise the importance of the site and give all assistance to the formation of the Viking Heritage Centre.
This building is of massive importance, not just to Chester but any part of the world with links to Scandanavian history. There is no way the building should be left empty and rotting - it should be looked after, restored carefully and tastefully, and used for another 400 years.
As a Viking re-enactor from North America, the UK is a kind of mecca. What a huge boon to those of us who come to Chester to have such a centre! And what a terrible waste of a golden opportunity to increase Chester's tourist profile if this is not acted on.
The Chester Viking Group have brought a valuable part of history alive and using the Church as a Viking Heritage Centre will be a brilliant opportunity for school children to link in with the Viking part of The Curriculum
This building is within the Chester Conservation area and within the city walls. The local council spend millions on vanity projects but if this building were to be lost then it's gone forever.
My 6th Great-grandfather was married in this church
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The council finally listened and agreed to turn St Olave's into a proper Viking Heritage Centre instead of letting it rot. This win proves that when we refuse to let these bureaucrats ignore our history, we actually get results. Keep a close watch on them to ensure they follow through …
November 11, 2015
Final supporters
Viking Chester group is encouraging people to sign a petition to save St Olave's Church. The campaign has been launched to persuade Cheshire West and Chester Council to convert an 11th century Scandinavian church into a Viking Heritage Centre.
The church was founded in the 11th century. Its dedication is to Saint Olaf, a Norwegian king. At the time that the church was founded, the area around Lower Bridge Street was largely occupied by Scandinavians, and it is thought this is the reason for the dedication.
The present church building dates from 1611. In 1841 the parish of St Olave's was united with that of St Michael’s. It was declared redundant by the Church of England on October 3, 1972.
Viking Chester is keen to find a new future for the building as a ‘Viking Heritage Centre’. The group is keen to work with interested parties across Chester and beyond to find a solution for the building including Big Heritage, The Centre for the Study of Viking Age at University of Nottingham, Cheshire West Museum Service, two groups from Norway and anyone else who is interested in saving the building. The public can show their support by signing the online petition or by visiting St John's Church by the amphitheater in Chester and signing the paper-based version of the petition.
To get more actively involved in the group and the campaign please email us at [email protected] Viking Chester is currently working up an outline business plan for the Building and hope to have meaningful discussions with the local authority this autumn. Please check out website at www.vikingchester.com
Updates
September 5, 2015
Cheshire West and Chester Council continues to ignore the history rotting right under their noses while they let this building crumble. We are currently scouting for legal experts to force their hand because bureaucratic silence is not an acceptable response to the destruction of our heritage.
September 5, 2015
Cheshire West and Chester Council cannot ignore this groundswell of support for St Olave any longer. We have officially proven that the public demands preservation for this site instead of letting it rot in silence.
Reached 100 supporters
September 5, 2015
147 Comments
It is important that Chester preserves this Church as it is a big part of of Cheshire's History. It shaped the land and its people and in 2017 remains where found in Norway of the Saint Olaf. It is also on the main walkway of the tourists and potentially can be used as a community venture and create extra revenue for the city.
St.Olaves church in Chester must not fall into the hands of developers. Instead, this ancient building should be used for the purposes of historical research namely VIKING. Please don't let this truly special building turn into flats for the disgustingly wealthy. Give it to the people. let the world know of Chesters viking heritage
The supporting metal has long been a eyesore in Lower Bridge Street. CWAC need to recognise the importance of the site and give all assistance to the formation of the Viking Heritage Centre.
This building is of massive importance, not just to Chester but any part of the world with links to Scandanavian history. There is no way the building should be left empty and rotting - it should be looked after, restored carefully and tastefully, and used for another 400 years.
As a Viking re-enactor from North America, the UK is a kind of mecca. What a huge boon to those of us who come to Chester to have such a centre! And what a terrible waste of a golden opportunity to increase Chester's tourist profile if this is not acted on.
The Chester Viking Group have brought a valuable part of history alive and using the Church as a Viking Heritage Centre will be a brilliant opportunity for school children to link in with the Viking part of The Curriculum
This building is within the Chester Conservation area and within the city walls. The local council spend millions on vanity projects but if this building were to be lost then it's gone forever.
My 6th Great-grandfather was married in this church
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It is important that Chester preserves this Church as it is a big part of of Cheshire's History. It shaped the land and its people and in 2017 remains where found in Norway of the Saint Olaf. It is also on the main walkway of the tourists and potentially can be used as a community venture and create extra revenue for the city.