Watts Chapel, Down Lane, Compton, Surrey

The Watts Chapel was conceived by Mary Watts at Limnerslease and it was created here for the people of Crompton. As Crompton Churchyard was full to capacity, the village required a cemetery and the Wattses showed their responsibility to the village as well as taking the opportunity to create something quite unique; a mortuary chapel in an eclectic mix of Celtic and Byzantine design. The project was an interesting one in terms of construction, Mary motivating a workforce from professional and amateur hands. "The squire," we are told, "moulded some of the bricks" and "the villagers, who attended the classes taught diring the winter evennings bt Mrs watts, prepared the bricks and symbolic reliefs." It was a building built for and by the village of Crompton, and is now Grade I listed. The architect for the project was George Redmayne; the exterior was begun in 1895 and completed with its consecration by the Bishop of Winchester on 1 July 1898. The interior was then constructed in pained gesso relief by Mary and a team of craftswomen, being completed in 1904 just in time, as events had it, for the death of Watts on 1 July 1904. [The Victorian July 2012 page 6]

LISTING TEXT Mortuary chapel for new cemetery. Built by Mary Seton Watts and the villagers of Compton between 1896 and 1898, interior decorated in 1901. Local red brick with rubbed and cut brick decorations, pantiled roof. Greek cross plan within a circle. Each arm of the cross has two round arched headed windows on the end with one step surrounds, Romanesque style. Foliage capitals to tall jamb shafts and open gable end over.Buttress to base of arms have paired shafts with Romanesque capitals and terracotta decoration between. Between each arm of the cross the curved quadrant section of the circular walling is corbelled out on first floor level with a curved roof over. Each quandrant has three winged figures as corbels and intricate flowing terracotta work above. Square bell turret with arched openings on each side and open gable ends containing further terracotta decoration to south east corner. Round headed, one step door surround to south west arm with doubled carved and panelled doors. Curved and flowing terracotta benches attached to walls of chapel.

Interior: Decorated in Art Nouveau style with complex symbolism. The plan is a circle with four deep embrasures representing the arms of the cross, vaulted over by pairs of thick parallel ribs (cf. Monks' Kitchen, Durham). Gesso decoration in sombre blues and reds of elongated angels carrying cameos in ornate frames looping down and linked to form a chain. More angels above with cherubs' heads on the ribs of the vault. Tree of life motif with roots intertwined to form a dado frieze around the bottom of the wall, at the top of the wall benches. Altar recess gilded containing "The All Rewarding" by G F Watts. Altar inscribed "This chapel designed by Mrs Watts, wife of G F Watts OMRA, was built in 1896 by her and the people of Compton. It is dedicated to the memory of all who rest near its walls.' The Chapel was built at the expense of Watts in grounds designed to replace the old churchyard which was closed in 1895.

The great doors of the chapel were prepared by Barrow & Boxell in chestnut and oak and carved by Thomas Steadman, a Compton wheelwright. The metalwork was designed by the architect George Redmayne and forged by the village blacksmith Clarence Sex for a fee of 21 pounds and 5 shillings. It was exhibited at the 1898 annual Home Arts and Industries exhibition held at the circular upper gallery of the Albert Hall.

Reference    Pevsner: Buildings of England, Surrey (1971) P 170
Reference    Blunt, W: The Connoisseur (April 1966) Article on the Symbolism of the Watts Chapel.
Reference    The Victorian Society: The Victorian July 2012 page 6