Zion Chapel, Wakefield

Wakefield’s former Zion Chapel is a rather imposing, cube-like building. Long closed, of course, online searches quickly identify it as an apartment block, with stylish-looking flats to buy, rent or hire. Judging by its apparent solidity, such residences are unlikely to collapse, which is more than can be said for its Christian ministry and congregation, though I note that a congregational chapel called Horizon and formerly known as Zion still meet in the town’s outskirts.  

'Zion' in the psalms is a poetic name for Jerusalem, and is one of the hills upon which it is built:

Beautiful for situation, the joy of the whole earth, is mount Zion, on the sides of the north, the city of the great King. Psalm 48:2

They that trust in the Lord shall be as mount Zion, which cannot be removed, but abideth for ever. Psalm 125:1

Churches close and chapels wane; denominations shrink and ministries decline. The community of the redeemed, however, keeps growing, for the work of God is still being done, and the people of Zion abide forever.

    D