Highgate School Chapel

The Highgate School Chapel, built between 1865 and 1866, was designed by Frederick Pepys Cockerell. It is a red brick structure with stone dressings and decorations, featuring polychromatic use of coloured bricks, stone and tiles internally. The chapel is partially raised above an open undercroft to the north, accessed by steps, and incorporates a central timber fleche and a clock tower to the west.

The main body of the chapel has five bays, culminating in a five-light apse positioned liturgically. The south side has round-arched lancet windows with a central cusped light, set between buttresses, and topped by a parapet of open stone tracery. A blind, round-arched arcade with moulded brickwork within round arches and stone banding runs along the south side and apse. The undercroft features a virtually round-arched arcade supported by octagonal columns with unusual Ionic capitals, and moulded brickwork to the spandrels. Within the undercroft are a relocated pump, wooden benches, and a First World War Memorial. Steps, passing a Boer War Memorial, lead to the entrance, which has a ballflower moulding and pointed arch.

The interior retains extensive polychromy on the walls and floors, with the chapel body panelled to dado height and displaying numerous memorials. It has an open timber truss roof, pews likely dating from the early 20th century, and choir stalls probably from the 1930s. The apse has marble lining to dado height, including a stoup, along with a pulpit, lectern and altar rails. Two organs are present, the one at the west end installed in the 1980s. The chapel holds a significant collection of stained glass, including memorials to Henry Chester (died 1868), Robert Isherwood (1837), Henry Leak (1863), Thomas Causton (1856) and William Bloxan (1814), all in a similar style. Particularly noteworthy are the south-side windows, representing good examples of 1880s Aesthetic Movement glass, as well as the west rose window of uncertain date. One window was replaced in 1953 after war damage.

The chapel is part of the major rebuilding of Highgate School, founded in 1565, during the mid-19th century. It, together with the school hall, forms a group of significant architectural and historical importance within Highgate village.