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Chester College Chapel
(University of Chester)
University of Chester - geograph.org.uk - 1331432.jpg
The former Chester College with the chapel on the left
Location Parkgate Road, Chester, Cheshire, England
OS grid reference SJ 402 672
Built 1844–47
Built for Chester College
Architect J. E. Gregan
Architectural style(s) Gothic Revival
Listed Building – Grade II*
Designated 10 January 1972
Reference no. 1375741
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University of Chester Chapel
New entrance door
University Chapel
University Chapel at Chester Campus, Parkgate Road.

The Chester College Chapel is a beautiful old building in Chester, Cheshire, England. You can find it where Cheyney Road and Parkgate Road meet. This chapel is now part of the University of Chester. It's considered a very important historical building, listed as Grade II* on the National Heritage List for England. This means it's a special place that needs to be protected.

History of the Chapel

Chester College was built a long time ago, between 1839 and 1842. It was the very first college in England made just for training teachers! The chapel was added a few years later, from 1844 to 1847.

A talented architect from Manchester named J. E. Gregan designed the chapel. What's really cool is that the students at the college helped build it! They worked hard to quarry (dig out) and carve the stone. They also carved the wood and helped create the colorful stained glass windows. Today, the chapel is still a key part of the University of Chester.

What the Chapel Looks Like

The chapel is built from red sandstone blocks, laid in neat rows. Its roof is made of green slate from a place called Westmorland. The building has a style called "Geometric," which is a type of Gothic Revival architecture.

The chapel is shaped like a rectangle. It has entrances on its north and south sides. On the southwest corner, there's a tall, thin tower called a bellcote where a bell would hang. This bellcote has a pointed top decorated with small hooks, called a crocketed spire.

At the west end of the chapel, there's a large window with four sections of glass. At the east end, there's an even bigger window with five sections.

Inside, you'll find a balcony at the west end with different levels, called a tiered gallery. The seats, or stalls, face each other. Along the lower part of the walls, there's wooden paneling made of oak. Words are carved into this wood. The floor is covered with colorful, patterned tiles called encaustic tiles.

The case for the organ is very fancy, with detailed carved patterns. It has three pointed roof sections. This organ case was built in 1856 and designed by Revd T. N. Hutchinson.

The chapel also has three copies of paintings by very famous old artists, known as Old Masters. These were given to the college by the Duke of Westminster. The stained glass in the east window was designed by the students themselves!

On the south side of the chapel, some windows show students building the chapel. These were made by different artists over the years, including Trena Cox (between 1923 and 1962), Wippell (in 1964), and Powells (in 1952). The window at the west end, from 1989, was made by Penny Kemp-Jones.

Inside the chapel, there's also a special memorial. It honors Revd Arthur Rigg, who was the first principal (leader) of the college for 30 years. This memorial was designed by J. S. Westmacott.

See also

  • Grade II* listed buildings in Cheshire West and Chester
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