Bethesda Methodist Chapel website
Bethesda Methodist Chapel, in Hanley, Stoke-on-Trent, closed in the 1980s and fell into disrepair. A few years ago it came into the ownership of the Historic Chapels Trust (HCT), whose aim is to restore it for local community use - concerts, lectures, etc. HCT, an existing client, whose website I had been instrumental in developing, asked me to set up the website.
My first step was to define the audience and the user requirements, which turned out to be surprisingly complex. For example, students would need information about the history of the building, the proposals for restoration and the works; local people, for whom history and contacts with former chapel members would be important, as well as information on future events and access when appropriate. Other users would include the press, funding bodies, visitors and the local committee. Material had to be sourced not only from the client but also from researchers, the local authority and, crucially, from those who had worshipped at the chapel when it was open or who had other connections.
It was also vital to visit the building, to get a feel for the local community and to meet the friends of the chapel. Together with a designer and a technician we devised a structure for the website, and produced a design that we felt would clearly convey that the chapel has a future as well as a glorious past.
The website was delivered within budget, on time and can be seen at www.bethesda-stoke.org.uk