James Paine Chapel

The chapel was added to Cusworth Hall by the architect James Paine shortly after the wedding of William Wrightson’s daughter Isabella to John Battie of Warmsworth in 1748. It was used for private family prayer until the death of Robert Cecil Battie-Wrightson in1950. The house was leased but the chapel was opened for public worship by Robert’s sister until bought by the Council and became a museum. It had fallen into a state of disrepair but has recently been restored to its former glory in 2007 by DMBC with generous funding from the Heritage Lottery Fund.

The chapel with its Diocletian window is an impressive example of Palladian architecture finely executed by skilled craftsmen and completed in 1753. The beautiful plaster ceilings and frames are by Joseph Rose.

The ceiling has an oil on canvas painting depicting the Ascension by Francis Hayman surrounded by a set of recently uncovered grisaille panels painted directly onto plaster by Samuel Wale. There is an unusual survival of a lime ash and red gypsum floor uncovered during restoration work.

The altar bay has a fine plaster frame by Rose containing a copy of the original painting by Francis Hayman of the Good Samaritan. The original gilded altar table has been restored and placed beneath the painting.

It is hoped that the unusual pews may be copied and installed when funding permits.