Funding for the Nile Chapel, Deddington

Built in 1840-41, the Nile Chapel at Deddington, a simple three-bay, notionally Greek Revival brick chapel, stands on land gifted by Robert Pitcairn, who was also the builder of the National Trust property, Runnymede in Hobart. Lawyer, Robert Pitcairn left an impressive record of legislative reform including the end of convict transportation to Van Diemen’s Land (achieved 1853) and the achievement of Responsible Government for Tasmania (achieved 1856).

The Nile Chapel is the burial place of leading British and Australian painter, John Glover (1767-1849), who lived at nearby Patterdale. Glover was a leading British Romantic Movement painter who came to Tasmania and found a new artistic vision inspired by Tasmania’s piercing light. Glover’s work has been collected increasingly by Australia’s galleries and has been the inspiration of the Glover Prize in Evandale. Glover’s property, Patterdale, is now open to the public and has residencies for artists and writers.

The National Trust became a Trustee of the Nile Chapel in 2009 and will work with the community, descendants of the original Trustees, on a program of works to safeguard the Chapel, including:

* Roof plumbing

* Repair of window frames and external joinery

* Removal of plastic paint where this retains damp

* Drainage at the Chapel’s (liturgical) east end

* Tree and weed removal including blackwoods, acacias and gorse.

 

National Trust Tasmania has a Special Purpose Fund for the Nile Chapel to fund work via donations. Donations of $2 and above are tax deductible. Donations can be made via Bank Deposit to the Trust’s ANZ account.

BSB: 017-042

Account number: 497 823 327.

Reference: Nile + your surname.

Please email us to provide us with your contacts for your receipt: admin@nationaltrusttas.org.au

Images: Nile Chapel Deddington (above), Patterdale (below)