St Nicholas Chapel, Cholmondeley facts for kids
Quick facts for kids St Nicholas Chapel, Cholmondeley |
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St Nicholas Chapel
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| OS grid reference | SJ 536 514 |
| Location | Cholmondeley Castle, Cheshire |
| Country | England |
| Denomination | Anglican |
| History | |
| Status | Private chapel |
| Founder(s) | Marquess of Cholmondeley |
| Dedication | Saint Nicholas |
| Architecture | |
| Heritage designation | Grade I |
| Designated | 12 January 1967 |
| Architectural type | Chapel |
| Style | Neoclassical |
| Specifications | |
| Materials | Red brick with slate roof |
St Nicholas Chapel is a special private church located on the beautiful grounds of Cholmondeley Castle in Cheshire, England. This castle is the historic home of the Marquess of Cholmondeley, who holds an important role in England. The chapel is considered a very important old building. It is officially listed as a Grade I heritage site.
Contents
History of St Nicholas Chapel
The chapel was first built in the 13th century. It was made with a wooden frame. During the English Civil War, the chapel was damaged. Because of this damage and general wear, it was repaired in 1652. This repair was done by Robert Cholmondeley, 1st Earl of Leinster.
In 1717, the wooden frame of the chancel (the part of the church near the altar) was covered with brick. The rest of the chapel was rebuilt using brick and stone. In 1829, George Cholmondeley, 2nd Marquess of Cholmondeley, added transepts. These are parts that stick out from the main building, making the chapel look like a cross. North and south galleries were added in 1840.
Later in the 19th century, a famous architect named George Gilbert Scott suggested plans to restore the chapel. His plans even included tearing down most of it, except for the chancel. However, the Marquess decided not to follow these plans. Instead, workers from the estate simply repaired the chapel.
Architecture and Design
Outside the Chapel
The chapel is built from red brick and has a roof made of slate. It has a cross-shaped design, which is called a cruciform plan. It includes a three-bay chancel and transepts, and a two-bay nave (the main part of the church).
The chapel stands on a brick base with a decorative stone edge. It also has rusticated quoins, which are large, rough-cut stones at the corners. The main entrance on the west side leads to the family pew. You reach it by climbing nine stone steps with a fancy cast iron railing. Other entrances for the public are at ground level into the north and south transepts.
Inside the Chapel
The roof inside is a special type called a hammerbeam roof. It has both solid and openwork designs. Experts say that the chapel's furniture from the 17th century is the most complete of its kind in Cheshire. One expert, F. H. Crossley, even said it holds "the most valuable post-Reformation church furniture we possess in the country."
The chancel is covered with old oak panelling. A carved screen in the Tudor style separates the chancel from the nave. The reading desk, pulpit, altar rails, and holy table all date back to the time of the Commonwealth.
Above the west end of the nave is the Cholmondeley family pew. This is a special, elevated seating area for the family. Steps lead down from it into the nave. The stained glass windows include many small, round pieces from the Netherlands.
External Features
The beautiful wrought iron gates and railings you see outside the chapel were not always there. They were moved to the chapel from Cholmondeley Old Hall.
See also
- Grade I listed buildings in Cheshire East
- Grade I listed churches in Cheshire
- Listed buildings in Cholmondeley, Cheshire
