Description

GIPPING CHAPEL GREEN
TM 06 SE

5/42 Chapel of St. Nicholas
-
9/12/55

GV I

Free chapel, built as a private chapel c.1474-80 for Sir James Tyrell of
Gipping Hall. Since 1743, a free chapel administered by trustees. Nave and
chancel; north vestry added soon after, and west tower in late C16. Walling
entirely of a chequerboard pattern of squared limestone rubble and knapped
flint (many of the flint panels instead have brown septaria). Freestone
dressings. Plaintiled roofs. 4-centred arched windows with transomes and
traceried heads. The south doorway has floral carved spandrels to the arch,
and the twin windows above have linking flushwork patterning. C18 panelled
doors. The buttresses also have flushwork panels and a number of carved
designs in freestone. The vestry is of very similar form and detail: in the
north gable is a chimney intended to appear as a splayed oriel window, with
false mullions and tracery, including heraldic shields carved at the head.
The vestry has a private external doorway with an inscription carved into the
chamfered arched head which reads "PRAY FOR SIR JAMYS TIRELL DAME ANNE HIS
WYE". The north doorway retains its original battened plank door. The tower
is entirely plastered and probably of brick fabric: plastered mullioned
windows and doorway and parapets. Interior: flat ceiling with cambered
tiebeams, arch braces rising from shafted wallposts, and moulded cornice and
purlins; the pitched roof above is believed to be a later alteration. Rood
loft stairway to south of plain chancel arch. C15 font with circular bowl and
octagonal stem. Sets of 4 and 5 original pews with a little carving.
Interior remodelling of mid C18: panelled box pews and polygonal pulpit, altar
rails and several doors. A fine painted trompe d'oeuil surround to the east
window with draped columns and a swag. Fine but jumbled original stained
glass in the east window. An C18 hatchment at the west end. For full
illustrated description:- The Chapel of St. Nicholas, Gipping, Suffolk: Proc.
Suffolk Inst. Arch. Vol. XX: Philip J. Turner, FRIBA, FRAIC.

Listing NGR: TM0720463578

External Links

• Historic England Listing
• Wikidata Q17526430

External links are from the relevant listing authority and, where applicable, Wikidata. Wikidata IDs may be related buildings as well as this specific building. If you want to add or update a link, you will need to do so by editing the Wikidata entry.

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