Thorndon Park Chapel facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Thorndon Park Chapel (The Petre Chapel) |
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West end of Thorndon Park Chapel
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| OS grid reference | TQ 615 914 |
| Location | Thorndon Park, near Ingrave, Essex |
| Country | England |
| Denomination | Roman Catholic |
| Website | Historic Chapels Trust |
| History | |
| Status | Private chapel |
| Founder(s) | Lord Petre |
| Dedicated | 1857 |
| Architecture | |
| Functional status | Redundant |
| Heritage designation | Grade II* |
| Designated | 20 February 1976 |
| Architect(s) | William Wardell |
| Architectural type | Chapel |
| Style | Gothic Revival |
| Specifications | |
| Materials | Ragstone with freestone dressings, tiled roofs |
Thorndon Park Chapel, also known as The Petre Chapel, is a special old building in Thorndon Park, near Ingrave, Essex, England. It used to be a private chapel for a Roman Catholic family. This means it was a church just for them, not for everyone. It is a very important building, listed as Grade II* on the National Heritage List for England. This listing helps protect old buildings. Today, the Historic Chapels Trust looks after it.
Contents
What is the History of Thorndon Park Chapel?
Who Built the Chapel and Why?
The Petre family, who were Roman Catholic, lived in a big house called Thorndon Hall. They built this chapel as their own private place of worship. It was also meant to be a mausoleum, which is a building where people are buried.
The chapel was built around 1850 and officially opened in 1857. A famous architect named William Wardell designed it.
What Happened to the Chapel?
Over time, the chapel was not used as much and started to get old and damaged. In 2010, Lord Petre, who was part of the Petre family, gave the chapel to the Historic Chapels Trust. This trust helps to save and look after important old chapels.
What Does the Chapel Look Like?
How Was the Chapel Built?
The chapel is made from a type of stone called Kentish ragstone. It also has special cut stones called freestone for details. The roof is covered with tiles. The building is designed in a style called Decorated Gothic.
What are the Main Parts of the Chapel?
The chapel has an L-shape and is divided into three sections called bays. On the south side, there is a small room called a vestry and a bellcote, which is a small tower for a bell.
The sides of the chapel have strong supports called buttresses. They also have windows with two sections.
What are the Special Features?
At the west end of the chapel, there is an arched doorway with carvings. Above this door is a large window with three sections and fancy stone patterns called tracery. The window at the east end is similar.
The bellcote on the south wall is octagonal, meaning it has eight sides. It has a small stair turret and a highly decorated section for the bell. This part has narrow windows called lancet openings. The bellcote has a pointed roof.
Inside the chapel, the roof is very detailed and beautiful. It even has gilded, or gold-colored, angels. All around the walls, there are stone panels showing the Stations of the Cross. The stone altar is built into the east wall, and above it is a richly carved reredos, which is a decorated screen. Some of the original stained glass windows were made by Hardman, but they have been moved for safekeeping.
See also
- List of chapels preserved by the Historic Chapels Trust
