Killerton Chapel, National Trust In 2022, Jonathan Rhind Architects (JRA) were appointed as preferred consultant to the National Trust for the Southwest region. Working with the National Trust’s own in-house team of professionals and liaising with external consultants and suppliers, we have been working on a variety of projects, including the Grade I listed grand Italianate Gothic Killerton Chapel in Devon.This was an historic building repair project involving surveying, detailed drawings and specification for sensitive conservation repairs to this Grade I listed building. JRA worked with a team of professionals to set up the project and undertake development of historic building philosophy to inform the decision making.Killerton Chapel was built in the mid-19th Century using a rare Lamprophyric Basalt stone, with decorative carved limestone. The walls were suffering from the effects of long-term weathering, putting the decorative cornices, copings and Belvedere capped tower turrets in danger of further degredation and loss.JRA conducted a thorough condition survey of the property to inform the scope and phasing of projects and prioritise essential works. We then developed packages of conservative repair work to address defective masonry, pointing, lead and slate roofing, rainwater goods and drainage and stained glass windows. Having developed technical drawings and specified the work, JRA put the project out to tender to specialist conservation companies. Finding a suitable match for the rare basalt stone was a challenge. Petrologist, Dr Stephen Parry from the British Geological Society was asked to conduct a study of stone sources used to build the chapel and identify their origins. Many sources of the Lamprophyric Basalt were no longer available. However, the project provided support to a local farmer at an early stage of reopening a quarry on his land. This quarry is now a vital source of Lamprophyric Basalt for Killerton and other historic sites in the area.
