Heritage Project - Phase 1

PHASE 1

CELEBRATING THE PAST

BUILDING FOR THE FUTURE

Phase 1

The Heritage Project will safeguard our most iconic buildings for future generations of Rossallians. The project provides an opportunity to come together as a community to ensure we leave an enduring legacy, one that will

The Heritage Project will also ensure that the buildings are fit for purpose long into the future. The Foundation is launching an appeal to ask for support to safeguard the Chapel and Big School. These buildings have been identified as

The Sumner Chapel only seated three hundred and so it was that the expanding pupil roll rapidly outgrew its limited capacity. The celebrated Lancaster architect, Edward Graham Paley (1823-1895) was tasked with the design of a grand new chapel which was to be on an altogether different scale. The Chapel was consecrated in 1862 and the guest of honour on that occasion was the great polymath and Master of Trinity College, Cambridge, William Whewell (1794-1866).

The Chapel of St John the Baptist

From its earliest days, the Chapel has contained memorials to Rossallians who have served both their school and country. The lives of those who fell in the colonial conflicts of the nineteenth century are remembered alongside heroes such as the Reverend Thomas Byles (1870-1913) who prayed on the rear deck of the Titanic as the ship was sinking. After the First World War, the prolific Scottish architect and furniture designer, Sir Robert Lorimer, was commissioned to extend the south transept of the Chapel so that it would become a fitting War Memorial to the 298 Rossallians who lost their lives during the four long years of conflict.

The refurbishment of the Chapel extended beyond the South Transept and a new organ was commissioned from the Durham builders Harrison and Harrison at a cost of £3,381. The organ reused pipes from the old Father Willis instrument. The East Window was replaced by the Fletcher family in memory of the father and son who had died from the burden of running the family colliery throughout the duration of the war. The window, like the new windows in the South Transept, was designed by J.C.N.Bewsey. The pulpit was designed by the famous sculptor, painter and stained glass window designer, Meredith Williams (1877-1934).

What the Chapel means to Rossallians

The importance of the Chapel is highlighted by the Canon Chancellor of Exeter Cathedral, the Reverend Canon Deborah Parsons (J & Dn 1977-84)

The Chapel of St. John the Baptist stands on the edge of the school campus and yet at the heart of what it means to be a Rossallian. Whether we profess to have a faith or not, we are united by core values of love and care for others and in our unique ways, we endeavour to make the world a better, kinder, more equitable place.

It was in the Chapel of St. John the Baptist that I was confirmed, along with

a large cohort of my year. It was there that I witnessed the joy of friends marrying and it was there where we occasionally gathered to bid a fond farewell to friends or members of Common Room, who had made an indelible impression on our lives. Quite simply, Chapel was always there – in all weathers, whatever the season, if not in the foreground, then as a backdrop to our lives.

The Chapel has been the place where many Rossallians have discovered their faith or found comfort in times of sadness. It is the case that those of no faith, or still searching, tend to retain an enormous affection for a building within which they find peace and a sense of community.

Many Rossallians return to the Chapel to celebrate baptisms and weddings. In times of crisis, Rossallians are inclined to seek the divine within this extraordinary building. During Covid, the Chapel played an enormous role and projected a sense of ‘school’ which transcended our physical apartness.

Essential remedial work (Phase 1)

Overall the Chapel is in poor condition as a result of the defects detailed below. The timber roof structures and internal plaster has been damaged by water ingress. Roof timbers have suffered significant decay and failing plaster work constitutes a safety concern.

• The roof needs to be replaced

• The external facades and spire needs repointing in order to make the structure watertight

• The internal plasterwork and decoration needs to be made good and this will improve the overall appearance of the building

• The cracking in the rear elevation, boiler room and chimney needs to be repaired

• The glass in the East Window cannot be fully reinstated until the surrounding masonry and metal work is repaired

This restoration and refurbishment project will ensure that the Chapel retains its role as the primary focal point of our community. It will ensure that it continues to provide a haven within which the emotional and spiritual wellbeing of our pupils and staff may be nurtured.

The Chapel is Rossall and Rossall is the Chapel.

Big School (1853)

Big School was designed by the Manchester architect, Edwin Hugh Shellard and completed in time for Prize Day 1853. Most of his work is in the Gothic Revival style and includes such architectural gems as St John’s Minster in Preston.

Big School is a slightly whimsical affair with its castellated tower and mediaeval style windows. The singularity of its design lends a distinctive character to the northern range of the Square. Historically, a good deal of teaching took place in Big School although it has always been a venue for theatrical and musical performances.

On the occasion of the School’s Golden Jubilee, Thomas Beecham took to the stage with an orchestra of musicians drawn mainly from the Hallé Orchestra. He would return to the very same stage more than fifty years later for the belated centennial celebrations. In 1954, it was the venue for a recital performed by Benjamin Britten and Peter Pears. The visit of Her Late Majesty Queen Elizabeth II is commemorated within the building and so too are the university scholarships won by generations of Rossallians.

What Big School means to Rossallians

The chart topping singersongwriter and Old Rossallian, Tom Gregory (MF 2007-14), remembers taking his first tentative steps towards stardom on this stage.

There is a mystery inside Big school that I still can’t quite put my finger on. It’s simply magical. It was my first and still my most nerve racking musical performance to date! It really beats any arena or festival I’ve played anywhere in the world. We are so lucky to have this as part of our DNA at Rossall.

Singer-songwriter Tom Gregory (centre) with Rossall students.

Essential remedial work (Phase 1)

The slate pitched roof, windows and stone window reveals are in poor condition. As a consequence of this there has been considerable damage to the internal plasterwork. Water ingress has resulted from failed pointing.

• Replace the roof in entirety

• Repoint stone window and wall reveals

• Replace leaded window frames showing signs of corrosion

• Replace existing plaster with a lime-based conservation plaster

• Repair flooring

Our Funding

Rossall has a proud tradition of benefaction and the Foundation has been able to play its part in ensuring that the excellent education that Rossall has provided over the years will continue to benefit generations to come. This has been due to generous donors like you and we are truly grateful.

As part of our master plan, we are looking at safeguarding the future of the Library, the Chapel and Big School buildings, this will cost in excess of £1.5 million.

The Foundation would like to raise £500,000 towards phase 1 remedial repairs to both Big School and the Chapel. These buildings have been identified as having the greatest urgency and so will form the first stage of the appeal.