Roman Catholic Chapel approximately 20 metres north of Rudding Park House

The Roman Catholic Chapel, built between 1877 and 1879 by architect A.E. Purdie for Sir Percival Radcliffe, Bt., is located approximately 20 metres north of Rudding Park House. Constructed from coursed, rock-faced gritstone and ashlar, it features a Westmorland slate roof. The chapel has a five-bay nave with a clerestory and side aisles, and a two-bay chancel with side chapels. An octagonal mortuary chapel, also designed by Purdie, was added to the east end in 1907. This large chapel is designed in the High Victorian Gothic style and includes a five-light east window with cinquefoils and quatrefoil openings above, and a four-light west window above the main entrance. The exterior is characterized by stepped buttresses, ashlar gable copings, and a bellcote at the junction of the nave and chancel. The mortuary chapel is adorned with ornate crocketed pinnacles and has a steep roof.

Inside, the nave features circular piers made of polished Aberdeen granite with naturalistic capitals. Other columns are made of pink marble with foliate capitals, flanking clerestory windows. Groups of three angels with musical instruments support the triple columns of the chancel arch. The chapel also has an elaborate reredos with flanking doorways, all decorated with carvings of saints and crockets, along with original fittings and furniture.

Historically, the elaborate northwest porch, which has stepped buttresses and an octagonal stair vice, was intended to support a tower and steeple that were part of Purdie’s original designs but were never completed.