The Chapel, Repton School

The Chapel at Repton School, built in several phases between 1857 and 1929, serves as a school chapel. The original nave was designed in 1857-8 by Henry Stevens, followed by the apse in 1867, a south aisle in 1884, and further extensions to the north aisle, north transept, and ante-chapel between 1901 and 1905 by Naylor & Sale. A south transept and porch were added in 1929 by W.A. Forsyth. The chapel is constructed of sandstone ashlar with Welsh slate roofs, stone coped gables, and a lead spire towards the east end of the nave, featuring an octagonal bell stage with crocketed gables.

The building consists of a nave, transepts, a south porch, chancel, transepts, and an ante-chapel. The north aisle terminates one bay short of the west end of the nave. A 3-light west window is fitted with Perpendicular-style tracery and an encircled quatrefoil above. The south elevation features four bays divided by buttresses with two set-offs. A 2-light window is positioned within the west bay, while the remaining three bays accommodate paired similar windows. A coved cornice incorporates a fleuron frieze. The short south transept has a 3-light Perpendicular-style window with a gable above, flanked by buttresses. A single-story canted projection with mullioned windows, featuring cusped arched lights, extends to the south, adjacent to a single-story parapet entrance bay including a rose window and wooden bell cote. The polygonal apse has three 2-light windows with plainly cusped geometric tracery and a coved cornice with fleurons. The gabled north aisle has an east window composed of three lancet lights with geometrical tracery. The two-bay north transept and ante-chapel are characterized by a castellated parapet and gableted buttresses. A 3-light Perpendicular-style window is situated above the priest’s doorway, and the north aisle mirror's the south’s fenestration with a castellated parapet. A projecting porch bay has a moulded doorway with a carved frieze and a hood mould above. A 3-light mullion window sits above the doorway with trefoiled lights within a deep moulded surround. Sunk panels on either side of the doorway depict relief figures of St Guthlac and St Wystan. The porch’s angles are accented with buttresses. The west wall is largely blind, save for a triplet of small 3-light windows with ogee lights under square heads.

Inside, six bay arcades exist; the four western bays are distinguished by piers of four engaged columns, moulded capitals, and arches. The eastern bay arches die into the imposts. A double hammerbeam roof features traceried panels. A west gallery includes coving, winged angels, and a canted projection. Several late 19th-century stained glass windows are present, and a window from 1918 in the north chapel demonstrates higher quality craftsmanship. A moulded chancel arch rests on foliage capitals and filleted responds. C19 open backed benches are found throughout.