Second life
The Chapel’s backstory reads like something from the HBO series Six Feet Under. Three generations of the Armstrong family ran the property as a funeral home before selling up to Nathan Wiens. A woodworker and designer, Wiens bought a nearby woodshop from the Armstrongs, and the Chapel was part of the deal. With his friend Gary Durban, a musician and producer (now the Chapel’s operating manager), the pair converted the space into a multipurpose gallery and arts venue. Officially opening in 2007, the Art Deco style building now acts as a concert venue, gallery and hip party space.

Rocking the Chapel
The original building was erected in 1893 adjacent to Oppenheimer Park with an addition built in 1936. What was once the chapel is currently the main concert/theatre space. It seats about 130 people theatre style, but can be configured for cabarets or cleared for standing room concerts. A new stage, in-house sound and lighting system have been installed for state-of the art sound and viewing. Artists can chill in the green room or mingle with the audience in the bar parlour, which easily accommodates parties over 200. Art by local talent adorns the walls, and little touches like long wooden pews hint at the building’s past. Thus far, artists like John Mann (Spirit of the West) and Barney Bentall have brought the house down.

Artful spaces
Off the parlour is the lobby entranceway, which has a side room coat check. From the lobby, a graceful flight of stairs beckons upwards to the main gallery and private billiards room. The considerable space also incorporates a lounge and kitchen area. Wiens’ stunning art furniture is exhibited in the gallery, including a palatial bed in golden, burled wood. Diana Krall and Elvis Costello snuggle up in one just like it! The smaller billiards room also doubles as a gallery space. The Chapel is always on the lookout for guest curators and visual artists. Durban also gives tours of the old embalming room, and his future endeavors include a rooftop patio.