Catholic Chapel Of Ss Robert And Alice And Presbytery, Dodding Green

A Catholic chapel and presbytery, dating from the mid to late 17th century, with alterations and additions made in the early 18th century, around 1840, and 1940. The building is of roughcast stone with a slate roof and incorporates a rainwater head at the north end bearing the inscription "RSA/1682" (Robert and Alice Stevenson).

The east facade is of two storeys and three bays, with the end bays projecting under gabled roofs. It features mostly sashed windows with glazing bars; however, the ground floor windows in the first and third bays are casements, and the first-floor window above the third bay is a three-light straight-headed window with a label mould, cusped lights, and leaded glazing, illuminating the chapel. The south facade has two bays, the first gabled and featuring a datestone reading "CB/1840". Cross-mullioned windows with casements are present here. A plaster plaque in the second bay reads "HAEC DOMUS/RENOVATA/EST/A. S. MCMXL/RJGK". A gabled porch provides access, featuring half-glazed doors. The north elevation includes a small gabled porch with a segmental-headed entrance to a return. An external staircase leads to a first-floor lean-to porch. Two first-floor windows of two lights, matching those on the east facade, illuminate the chapel.

The west elevation incorporates an 18th-century gabled wing to the first bay, with a smaller gabled wing attached. A rounded stair projection features a first-floor three-light window, alongside a ground floor casement window. A projection in the angle connects to a later range, which includes a priest hide. A later range, gabled to returns, is of 18th-century design with sashed windows and glazing bars, and a 19th-century extension to the south.

Inside the chapel, a 19th-century altar, reredos, and wall paintings are found at the east end. The 18th-century altar rails feature turned balusters. A six-fielded-panel door leads to the house. The original staircase is semi-circular, with two flights around an octagonal newel. A later 18th-century staircase has square newels, turned balusters, a moulded handrail, and string. A first-floor cupboard is round-headed, with fluted Corinthian pilasters, an archivolt, a cornice, and fielded-panel doors.

The house, originally left to the Catholic Church in 1723 by Robert Stevenson to serve as a chapel and presbytery, had been in use as a Mass centre for some years prior to that.