Abandoned Church Hall : Lewes
Abandoned Church Hall : This is a deliberately disused, abandoned, derelict arts and crafts style building called the Canon O`Donnell Hall which was a community centre for the people of Lewes and built in 1907. It was sold to a property developer only to be commercially vandalised! But looking at the art forms on the walls and doors inside the building, One wonders the state of mind of the last inhabitants.
Abandoned Hall History
Originally, The Canon O`Donnell Hall was used by the local C of E church and then more recently by the Catholic church, the community centre hall has hosted many community functions over the years, there are very few Lewes children who will not have gone there at some point. After decades of use, it was sold to a property developer who then closed the building and then let it fall into a deliberate, abandoned and derelict disrepair.
In 2009 a planning application was made to demolish the Canon O`Donnell Hall and its history and turn it into flats. This was opposed and turned down. “English Heritage have acknowledged the merit of this significant building, and just because it isn’t listed now, doesn’t mean it couldn’t be. The dereliction the owner has allowed makes it hard to imagine how fine it could look.
It is a very well thought out, and cleverly designed structure in a tricky space. Just look at the unusual lines of the Canon O`Donnell Hall roof line when driving past from the prison. It is very modern indeed.” “It is an example of an Arts and Crafts building – rare in Lewes – and it sits well on a difficult site without dominating: unlike the proposed, brash new flats.
The varying roof line along Western Road is, I think, irreplaceable; apart from the obvious community issues it is part of the streets-cape and its history.” The whole building inside is littered with empty alcohol bottles, graffiti, mattresses, pigeon poo and sharps. Not the sort of thing you would expect to find in a Leafy town like Lewes. And on top of that, it stinks in there. Pull it down on health and safety grounds is my view. An of the cuff visit with my Wife. More Urban Exploring Photos Here.
Canon O`Donnell Abandoned Derelict Church Hall Lewes Scene, Scenes, Image, Images, Photograph, Photographs : Lewes Based Photographer In Sussex South Downs National Park : Photography by Nikon Camera. Abandoned Derelict Building Urbex Urban Decay Exploration UE Redundant Disused
