The foundation stone was laid by none other than Sir Chapman Marshall, Lord Mayor of the City of London in the presence of the Sheriffs of the City and County (although Marshall subsequently chose to be laid to rest in the Anglican catacombs at West Norwood Cemetery.)
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Its choice would also have suited the horticulturalist and scientist George Loddiges who was on the design team for he saw the hand of the Creator in the beautiful natural designs of botanical species and varieties.
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Near to the chapel with its splendid botanical rose windows George Loddiges laid out a special rosarium to bring attention to this rich and diverse plan family.
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Although such associations primarily emerged in the mid-late Victorian 'arts and crafts' period, it is possible that the association with 'nature' and the 'natural world' was an influence on Hosking's design since the overall cemetery project was conceived as a splendid botanical extravaganza, with the largest arboretum in the country, perfected by the famous George Loddiges.
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By the time a chapel was built at Mount Auburn in Massachusetts, a few years after Abney Park's Chapel, the gothic (pointed) style was more commonly accepted by nonconformists.
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Loudon had been critical of the catacombs at Kensal Green as 'bad taste', and had also found the 'pleasure-ground style' at Norwood cemetery objectionable; yet offered only praise for the new principles of cemetery layout, management and design at Abney Park.
This, the Abney Park Chapel was to be the first nondenominational cemetery chapel in Europe, and quite probably the world (since its 'sister' chapel at Mount Auburn was a later addition).
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Further information about his design can be found in the entry for Abney Park Chapel, which is an early example of Dissenting Gothic.
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