Stonyhurst College

The Sodality Chapel was constructed in 1859 and was designed by Charles A Buckler, who also enlarged the Chapel in 1899. In 1907, the Chapel was redecorated; at the same time all eight windows were "splayed and adorned with Bath stone tracery". The 8 Stained Glass Windows were designed by Paul Woodruff in the 1920's; Paul was a former pupil at Stonyhurst in 1887.

The Chapel is a Grade 1 Listed Building, and is located at First Floor level above the Kitchen/Dining Area adjacent to the old Quadrangle. The Chapel is rectangular on plan, and has a central aisle with Choir Stalls either side leading to a raised Sanctuary Area with a splayed end. The ceiling is coffered and highly decorated, (but perhaps not in the original colours).

The Stonyhurst Association commissioned a Condition Survey detailing all the necessary repair works, from which we developed a Scheme to completely refurbish the Chapel. An Application was made to the Historic Churches Committee for approval to carry out the Works under the Ecclesiastical Exemption Order.

The work involves the re-decoration of the Chapel, retaining many of the existing colours and finishes. The exceptions being the walls and the surround to the statue of Our Lady. No re-decoration works were proposed to the ornate ceiling, which was simply cleaned. New lighting was introduced to enhance the detail of the ceiling and highlight the Sanctuary.

Specific works included:-

a) External Repairs to stonework and roof.

b) Re-plastering of existing walls (Lime plaster).

c) The removal of the stained glass windows to allow repair

d) The removal of the benches to facilitate re-plastering (with re-fixing on completion).

e) The complete re-decoration of the Chapel.

f) The provision of new lighting to enhance architectural detailing.

The project was completed in 2007 and was officially dedicated by His Eminence Keith Patrick O'Brien, Cardinal Archbishop of Edinburgh.

The Stonyhurst Magazine records:

"Stonyhurst possesses a fitting, and spiritually inspiring, setting for its revived Sodality - a visual testament to the Architects, Designers, craftsmen and builders, who built and maintained this remarkable example of Victorian, but eminently functional, ecclesiastical architecture".