1632 Peterhouse Chapel

The Chapel was built while Matthew Wren, Sir Christopher Wren's uncle, was Master. He later funded the building of Pembroke Chapel across the road. Although it would have been a striking building in its day, the architect is unknown. It is a rectangular building, originally showing its brick construction, but ashlared in the 17th century. Basically the style was Gothic, with a playful curvy West gable, though the East front is topped by a Classical pediment and there are Classical pilasters and half columns on the West front. The Chapel was consecrated 1632.

[Thumbnail image of Peterhouse, front]
Peterhouse, front

It has since been altered in a number of other respects. The porch was removed in 1755, and the space in the West front gable, now occupied by clock, used to contain a niche. Also the galleries either side of the Chapel West front originally had depressed arches and an Elizabethan strapwork balustrade, but were rebuilt in 1709 with classical semi-circular arches, rectangular windows replacing the Gothic windows in the upper storey.

It is interesting to observe the orders used on the supports for the gallery arches. While supposedly Classical (Doric or Tuscan) they have ridiculously large bases in proportion to the columns. These supports were an original feature, but even in the early 17th century they were clearly not sufficiently offensive to Classical taste to merit replacement when the arches were modernised.

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