In 1672 the Ackland family moved to Killerton from Columb John, 1 mile to the west, where their old family chapel is still extant.
The architect was C. R. Cockerell (1788 - 1863) and he produced an ambitious design in accordance with his client's wishes. To his annoyance, it was to be based on the Norman Chapel of St Joseph of Arimathea at Glastonbury, as he later stated in a letter to Sir Thomas in 1838; "If this finds you at Killerton and still bent on Jospeh of Glastonbury, do not think of neutralizing, castrating and emasculating the copy of that noble building, & flattering yourself that you have what will be worthy of the original - either have an original work altogether or a correct reproduction." The builders were Hooper of Exeter.
Inside the chapel is arranged like a college chapel, and Sir Thomas commissioned a special seat for himself on the right hand towards the east end, and his son Arthur designed and carved the neo-Norman stone altar, while another son, Henry, designed the capitals. The rose window in the west wall is based on Barfeston in Kent.
The font and the lectern. The lectern is carved from one piece of oak and has depictions of the four evangelists.
The windows in the east wall above the altar date from 1906 depict the four evangelists of the chapel's dedication, Matthew, Mark, Luke and John, with Christ at their centre. Each are shown with their traditional symbols, man, lion, ox and eagle. The windows were the offering of friends and relatives of the Sir Thomas. These photographs have been electronically corrected for perspective distortion.
The final picture is of the main entrance to the chapel.
An interesting article about this chapel may be found here, together with a picture of the church the year after its completion.
Digital photographs
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