The Chapel...

The Chapel was designed by York Architect, Thomas Atkinson, who also designed the front entrance to Bishopthorpe Palace. The Chapel was completed in 1769 under Reverend Mother Ann Aspinal.

At the time the Chapel was built Catholic worship was forbidden (this Penal Law was not repealed until 1791), so there are many features which reflect this in the design of the building. Firstly, the chapel is placed in the centre of the complex of buildings which make up the Convent, so that it is hidden from view from the main street. Secondly, its plain lunette windows reveal nothing of its ecclesiastical nature, and, finally, the dome is carefully hidden from outside view by a slate pitched roof.

Further evidence of the danger involved in being a Catholic at the time is seen in the eight exits, providing escape routes for the congregation in the event of a raid by magistrates.

There is also a priest's hole in which the priest could be hidden during a raid, although we have no evidence in the archive records that this was ever used. This recess was forgotten and the entrance lost, until its rediscovery during electrical works in modern times. A small hatch now enables visitors to see into this space.

The chapel is used daily by the Community and it is always open to visitors. There is also a weekly Mass on Friday at Noon, to which the general public is warmly invited.