Chapel And Cloister At The Convent Of The Holy Name

The Chapel and Cloister at the Convent of the Holy Name dates from 1891-3 and was designed by Sir Ninian Comper and William Bucknell. It is built of red brick with stone dressings and a plain-tile roof. The chapel is a single range of seven bays with six two-light windows featuring simple geometrical tracery facing south. A south porch, with stone buttresses, banding, and a statue of the Virgin and Child in an elaborate niche, leads to a lean-to cloister on either side, incorporating three-light windows. A stone parapet and stack are present on the chapel, culminating in a crocketed octagonal pinnacle to the right. The north side is similarly designed, with three windows.

The interior is divided into bays by a shallow, full-height arcade, with mouldings continuing down to the bases. Moulded shafts also extend upwards to meet the moulded braces of the boarded and panelled wagon roof. Elaborately decorated panels in blue and gold adorn the two bays above the presbytery. Below, a finely carved reredos features extensive gilding and numerous figures, alongside a gilded statue of the Virgin and Child under a gilded, crocketed canopy. A complete set of finely carved oak stalls runs around the sides of the chapel, with a gallery and screen at the west end; the open arches of the screen have elaborate traceried heads. An ogee-headed doorway gives access to double doors. Stained glass is present in the four-light east window and one north window.

The cloister connects the chapel to the wider Convent of the Holy Name. The buildings were formerly listed at Grade II.