Baptist Chapel

The following buildings shall be added to the list:-

SP 9735 RIDGEMONT HIGH STREET

13/10000 Baptist Chapel GV II

Baptist chapel. Dated 1811; a mid C19 remodelling of a Georgian chapel. Flemish bond red brick at rear, front and sides rendered. Slate roof with coped gable ends. Plan: Approximately square auditorium with gallery on 3 sides, rostrum on fourth (NW) side and entrance under gallery on opposite SE front. Italianate style remodelling. Exterior: 2 storeys. Symmetrical 3-bay front with large pedimental gable with acroteria and dentilled cornice with Vitruvian scroll frieze inscribed "BAPTIST -1811-CHAPEL". Band with crenellations. 2-light windows with margin panes and moulded architraves on bracketed cills, those on first floor with panelled heads, the ground floor with round arches, keyblocks and decorated tympana. Central porch with pedimental gable, vermiculated rustication, segmental arch with tall keyblock, rectangular overlight with margin panes and 6-panel double doors. Similarly treated left (SW) return with bands and 2 windows on each floor. Brick rear (NW) end with wide gable and 2 round- headed windows with stained glass. NE side is abutted by the school house and manse [No 17 (qv)]. Interior: Gallery on 3 sides supported on thin cast-iron columns and with fretted balusters applied to gallery front. Ventilation roundels in ceiling. Painted text over rostrum on NW wall. Rostrum has balustrade and arched panelled back. Moulded window architraves and stained glass in NW wall. Panelled screen to entrance under gallery. C19 benches and wall memorials. Note: Founded in 1701 (Kelly's 1914): "Protestant dissenting meeting house was made" before 1722 (Chapel Book in CRO x 347/6). Chapel, school house and manse [No 17 (qv)] depicted on Enclosure Award Map of 1797.

Listing NGR: SP9737335806