Latitude: 53.0022 / 53°0'8"N
Longitude: -2.2721 / 2°16'19"W
OS Eastings: 381838
OS Northings: 345025
OS Grid: SJ818450
Mapcode National: GBR 02W.VSJ
Mapcode Global: WHBCS.2SBS
Plus Code: 9C5V2P2H+V5
Entry Name: Keele University Chapel
Listing Date: 25 September 1998
Grade: II
Source: Historic England
Source ID: 1376612
English Heritage Legacy ID: 470618
ID on this website: 101376612
Location: Newcastle-under-Lyme, Staffordshire, ST5
County: Staffordshire
District: Newcastle-under-Lyme
Civil Parish: Keele
Built-Up Area: Keele
Traditional County: Staffordshire
Lieutenancy Area (Ceremonial County): Staffordshire
Church of England Parish: Keele St John the Baptist
Church of England Diocese: Lichfield
Tagged with: Chapel
SJ 84 NW KEELE
Keele University Chapel
408/3/10002
II
Multi-denominational university chapel. 1964-65 by G.G. Pace. Blue vitrified engineering bricks. Slated pitched roof to eaves. Two copper covered pyramidal roof lights to paired towers and two copper-covered dormers. Rectangular building with paired apses at one end and a gallery along one side, with vestries and entrance below. Main space designed to be flexible, with movable furniture and a hydraulic screen which can be lowered to make two smaller spaces. One of the apses is dedicated to Roman Catholic worship; the other is for Anglicans and Non-conformists.
Exterior is dominated by the paired apses, which rise to form a pair of towers, each with panels of vertical strip windows with square-headed lights of irregular length, separated by brick tracery. Similar windows in irregular patterns to the flanks, which are otherwise unmodelled, and to the asymmetrical gable end. Rectangular leaded lights. Square-headed entrance on flank with concrete beam over. Double timber doors, recessed. Projecting concrete gutter spouts, three to each flank.
Interior of exposed pink brick and unpainted board-marked concrete. `Y' shaped laminated timber uprights and trusses, supporting timber roof, partly with timber rafters with exposed boarding behind, and partly with white acoustic tiles, forming a decorative contrast to the timber panels. Patterned brick screen with exposed, unpainted board-marked concrete frame divides the space at the higher level up to the roof, and a hydraulic screen of rust-stained timber, decorated with a cross motif, can be lowered to complete the division. Two similar, but smaller screens can be lowered to close off the apses. Below the gallery a brick and concrete wall with groups of vertical windows. Broad, light timber handrail/bookrest, to `chunky' concrete balustrade. Concrete pulpit of organic form attached to left of the screen wall. Also part of the Pace scheme is the limed timber altar, lectern, priest's chairs, benches and other furnishings and the altars and furnishings in the semi-circular chapels. Also original are the pendant light fittings in black-painted metal. Floor with panels of parquet and polished concrete flags.
Liturgically unusual as a multi-denominational chapel of this period, this impressive building is a fine example of Pace's work.
Listing NGR: SJ8183845025
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