The Chapel

The Chapel, located in Lincoln's Inn, was built between 1619 and 1623 by John Clark to replace a ruined chapel on a different site, with later alterations. It features stone and rendered brickwork and has a green slate roof.

The building is two storeys high and was originally designed with three bays. A fourth western bay and forebuilding were added in 1882-1883 by Stephen Salter, who also re-roofed the chapel. The western facade showcases a central entrance in Tudor style with a pointed moulded arch, hoodmould with label stops, and quatrefoil decoration in the spandrels. This entrance is flanked by single light traceried windows and full-height buttresses. On the first floor, there is a central 2-light traceried window surrounded by armorial shields, followed by three 3-light traceried windows. Above the corbel table is a prominent 7-light traceried window featuring a rose. The east window, which is similar, was renewed by James Wyatt between 1795 and 1796. The north and south elevations are buttressed, with flying buttresses at the ground storey, and each bay contains four 4-light Perpendicular windows. The parapet and buttress pinnacles were added by Salter.

The undercroft is notable for its Gothic 4-centred arches, lierne vaults, and Tuscan demi-columns attached to the piers. Inside, there are original carved pew ends, an early 18th-century pulpit with a tester, a late 17th-century communion rail with twisted balusters, and original stained glass depicting Apostles by Bernard van Linge and Richard Butler. The south windows have been much restored, while the north windows were largely reconstructed after an air raid in 1915.

Historically, the foundation stone was laid in 1620 by John Donne, who served as Preacher to the Honourable Society of Lincoln's Inn from 1616 to 1622.