In 1897 Louisa Harris of Matlock Bath had had enough.
All she wanted was to install a monument in the local church. The vicar refused.
But, memorialising a pet in a church didn’t accord with Canon Law... So, Louisa built her own chapel, where she could do as she wished.
#thread
All she wanted was to install a monument in the local church. The vicar refused.
But, memorialising a pet in a church didn’t accord with Canon Law... So, Louisa built her own chapel, where she could do as she wished.
#thread
Louisa commissioned Guy Dawber to design a private chapel on a steep hillside overlooking the Derwent Valley. A picturesque path wound from Louisa’s grand residence to the door of the chapel.
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2/5
In line with Dawber's ideals, the chapel appears as an extension of the natural rocky cliff face. To preserve privacy and secrecy, the chapel is nestled amongst trees and shrubs, and the cliff-face is draped in ivy.
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3/5
Right at the back of Louisa treasure house is a small brass memorial engraved, ‘In most loving memory of Vida. L.S.H. Till the last and brightest Easter Day be born’.
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Passionate in her care for animals, in her will Louisa left £1,000 each to @RSPCA_official and @Battersea_ .
It's quite something to think that without Vida the dog, we might not have this jewel of a chapel.
#InternationalDogDay2020
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It's quite something to think that without Vida the dog, we might not have this jewel of a chapel.
#InternationalDogDay2020
5/5
