Ripley Hospital Chapel, Lancaster

RIPLEY HOSPITAL CHAPEL LANCASTER - This chapel, which is one of the best examples of Messrs. Paley and Austin's recent work, has just been completed. and forms an admirable specimen of decorated Gothic architecture. The plan consists of a nave, chancel. and aisle, with vestry on the south side of chancel, with organ chamber over, opening by arches with corbelled balconies into the chancel and south aisle. The chancel, 26 feet long by 34 feet wide, has a stone groined ceiling 35 feet high at the crown, divided equally into two bays by a clustered shaft on either side, which branches at the springing into the groining ribs. The stonework between the ribs is relieved by bands of red Runcorn stone. The diagonal ribs at the four corners rest on shafts, which are supported on corbels richly carved with leaf foliage. The choir stalls, prayer desks, lectern and pulpit are of oak, richly carved with tracery and leaf foliage The chancel pavement is of encaustic and plain tiles, divided by strips of stone. The nave, 72 feet long, is divided from the chancel by a chancel arch 32 feet high to apex. Ample accommodation is provided in the nave for the inmates, who enter the chapel by a covered way connected with the main building. The seats are terminated at the west end by a panelled oak screen 9 feet high across the full width of nave and 9 feet out from the west wall. In the south aisle. which is divided from the nave by an arcade of three with clustered shafts and capitals. accommodation provided for 100 adult worshippers; these sittings are to be used by the public. and are approached by a door at the north side of the chancel arch. The nave is covered by a massive pitch pine roof of eleven principals, with traceried spandrels. The aisle and organ chamber roofs also are of pitch pine. The floors under the seats are of solid wood blocks, and the aisles are flagged. The outside stonework for both dressings and general walling is of Lancaster stone, and the inside dressings and wailings, which is ashlar throughout, is of Stourton (Cheshire) stone. The roofs are covered with Westmoreland slates from the Loughrigg Fell quarries. The chancel roof is surmounted by a tall octagonal fléche, the lower part of which contains a bell, which formerly belonged to the parish church and round which runs an overhanging gallery of oak. The total height from the ground to the top of the fleche is 100 feet. The contracts for the various works were carried out by the following firms, viz. stonework, etc., Mr. W. Warbrick; the carpenter and joiner's work by Mr. C. Blades; plumbing. Glazing, gas-fitting. and heating, Messrs, A. Seward & co.; the slating by Messrs. T. Cross and Son ; the wood and stone carving by Messrs. H. T. & S. Miles—all of Lancaster; the ironwork by Mr. J. Wilson, of Kendal; the wrought iron gas brackets and coronae by Messrs. Hart, Son. Peard and Company of London. This chapel forms the completion of the extensive scheme of alterations commenced some four years ago, including large boys' and girls' schools, new summing bath, new washhouse, laundry, etc. and large covered play sheds—all of which. with the exception of the chapel. were completed some two years ago. [British Architect 25 July 1890 Page 60]

Reference           British Architect 25 July 1890 Page 60