St Clare's Abbey Chapel

St Clare's Abbey Chapel in Darlington, County Durham, is a Victorian convent chapel built in 1856–57 for the Poor Clares. Since 2009 it has held Grade II* listed status, placing it among the most significant historic buildings in England.

What is this chapel?

The architects were Joseph Aloysius Hansom and his brother Charles. Joseph Hansom was a prominent Catholic church architect and a follower of A. W. N. Pugin. The Poor Clare nuns settled in Darlington in the mid-1850s on land bought from their Carmelite neighbours. Their community had fled the French Revolution and returned to England in 1795, living at Haggerston Castle in Northumberland and then Scorton Hall in Yorkshire before reaching Darlington.

In 2007, with fewer sisters remaining, the community left Darlington and joined the convent at Much Birch in Herefordshire.

What will you see?

The chapel is built of red brick with sandstone dressings under a Welsh slate roof. It has a rectangular plan of six bays, with a public chapel projecting on the north side and a vestry on the south. The east end is dominated by a large pointed window with geometric tracery.

Highlights inside include:

• A carved stone high altar with a central Crucifixion panel and marble columns either side.
• A sculpted reredos with biblical scenes and figure niches, installed in 1860.
• Stained glass in the sanctuary window showing the Virgin Mary, St Joseph, six saints and scenes from scripture.
• A stone choir screen (jubé) with a double arcade and carved angels. It is a rarity, separating the sanctuary from the nuns' choir.
• An open timber roof on stone corbels, with a red and gold painted ceiling repainted in 1987.
• A Harrison and Harrison organ in the west gallery.

Can you go inside?

The sources we have give no opening hours or admission rules. The Poor Clares no longer live here, and the chapel sits within the former abbey grounds in Hummersknott, alongside the separately listed lodge, walls and garden buildings. Treat it as a site with restricted access. Check current arrangements with the site's present custodian or Darlington's visitor information before travelling.

How do you get there?

The chapel is in Hummersknott, on the south-western side of Darlington. Darlington station is on the East Coast Main Line, with direct trains from London, York and Newcastle. From the town centre, a local bus or taxi will take you to the area.

Frequently asked questions

What is the chapel's heritage status? It is Grade II* listed, with the listing dated 18 August 2009. The abbey's lodge, walls and ancillary garden buildings are listed separately at Grade II.

Who designed it? Joseph Aloysius Hansom and Charles Hansom, in 1856–57. James Frith was the clerk of works.

Do Poor Clares still live in Darlington? No. The community left in 2007 and moved to Much Birch, Herefordshire.

What makes the chapel special? Its surviving stone choir screen, richly carved reredos and painted timber ceiling, all rare and well-preserved Victorian work.