Abney Park Chapel

Abney Park Chapel is a Gothic church building standing at the heart of the cemetery with a distinctive stone tower. Inside, the space divides into two levels with an upper gallery reached by wooden stairs, allowing about 70 people to gather comfortably.

Built between 1838 and 1840 by architect William Hosking, this was Europe's first non-denominational cemetery chapel. Its creation marked a significant shift, allowing people from different Christian traditions to be buried in the same consecrated ground.

The building welcomed people from different Christian traditions at a time when churches usually served only one denomination. You can feel this openness in the simple elegance of the interior and how the space draws everyone together equally.

The building functions as a venue for ceremonies and cultural events throughout the year. The wooden stairs to the upper level mean the space is not fully accessible for people with mobility challenges.

The cemetery grounds contain an arboretum arranged alphabetically with around 2,500 different plant varieties from around the world. This botanical collection was deliberately organized as a living archive of diversity, yet many visitors overlook this remarkable feature entirely.

Location: London Borough of Hackney

Architects: William Hosking

GPS coordinates: 51.56442,-0.07735

Latest update: December 11, 2025 18:11