THE chapel at Bendigo Cemetery is an unassuming, quiet structure just inside the front gates on Carpenter Street.
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But looks can be deceiving.
Countless Bendigo families have moved through this humble chapel, all with a purpose to ponder their loss and commend their loved ones to the heavenly realms.
Constructed in 1872, its tired walls have housed generations of mourners.
Designed as a place of shelter and reflection during funerals, it did not discriminate between denominations.
Remembrance Parks Victoria's Shane Robinson is an authority on the chapel.
"Everybody prior to the 1930s who was buried here in Bendigo would have come through this chapel," Mr Robinson said.
"It was built to help some of the mourners get out of the hot weather or cold weather," he said.
"We’ve got George Lansell, only a stone’s throw from the chapel."
The mining entrepreneur's grandson, also called George Lansell, was laid to rest in 2007.
Though the latter Lansell would not have passed through the chapel because in the 1930s funeral directors built their own chapels, meaning church services moved away from the cemetery.
Since then, very little has been conducted on a regular basis at the chapel.
The lack of community need for the building has meant it has fallen further and further down the priority list of facilities to maintain.
To add to its natural decay over the decades, the chapel was vandalised during the 1990s which reduced it to a further state of disrepair.
There were some minor repairs made to the roof and stain glass windows in 1999 but not enough to return it to its former glory.
Adventurous couples have held their weddings there, with one particularly memorable ceremony a few years ago at midnight on December 31.
Those keen for the chapel experience have been understanding of its dilapidated condition and have embraced its old world charm.
But Mr Robinson believes the building could be a regular function venue of value to the community, if only some money was spent.
He thinks the chapel could fit about 50 people.
Remembrance Parks Victoria has applied for three government grants over the last 18 months in an attempt to breathe new life into the chapel. So far they have been unsuccessful.
He says about $300,000 is needed.
"We’re certainly keeping an eye out for any grants that could possibly fill the criteria," he said.
"We’d love to get it back to a point where it can be used by the Bendigo community and hold services in here for deceased loved ones," he said.
Heritage architect and advisor for the City of Greater Bendigo Megan McDougall said it would be great to see the chapel restored.
"There has been a detailed conservation management plan prepared by Heritage Alliance for Remembrance Parks Victoria, and it would provide excellent guidance for a restoration project," Ms McDougall said.
"The chapel at Bendigo Cemetery is very important, and has been recognised by being included on the Victorian Heritage Register, which means it is considered important at a state level," she said.
"It is also covered by a heritage overlay.
"From my own observations it is very intact and forms an important centre-piece for the cemetery.
"It is very well crafted, and the timber ceiling structure is particularly beautiful."