Monument record 366/1/1 - Woodhey Chapel

Woodhey Chapel, 1st mentioned 1537. Present blg c.1700, designed & erected by Lady Wilbraham. Restored 1926 (1). Chapel, Palladian in style in Flemish bond brick with hipped slate roof. 3-bay nave each with tall, round- headed cross window. No chancel but single bay gallery W end entered from raised level through resited early C17 stone loggia from now demolished Woodhey Hall. This is arcade of 3 segmental arches on Roman Doric columns with strapwork frieze. Door to nave N side, steps to former garden S side. Int: Almost unaltered. Ornate raised pulpit E end with 10 Commandments on panels to either side. Oak panelled stalls & plaster ceiling to gallery. This has corner fire- places & screened seating. Panelled plaster ceiling (3). Lady Wilbraham's annotated copy of Pallido's 'Four Books of Architecture' now at Weston & is clear inspiration of work. Chapel fully restored 1980 & open to public (4). Sir Peter Leycester in 1673 describes it as old (5). For A/Ps, see SRW Faddiley 1-3

<1> Ordnance Survey, 1870-1982, Ordnance Survey Archaeological Record Card, 1976 SJ55SE3 (Index). SCH2487.

<2> Richards R, 1947, Old Cheshire Churches, Richards R 1947 /367-9 (Book). SCH2309.

<3> Department of the Environment, 1971-2005, List of Buildings of Special Architectural or Historic Interest (Report). SCH1934.

<4> de Figueiredo P & Treuherz J, 1988, Cheshire Country Houses (Book). SCH785.

<5> Leycester P, 1673, Historical Antiquities of Great Britain Ireland & Cheshire (Book). SCH1369.