The year 1857 was a memorable one for Repton School, for three hundred years it had existed with varied progress.

A goodly company of Old Reptonians assembled to commemorate the event on Tuesday the 11th of August. They dined together in the old “big school,” the Honourable George Denman presided, and was supported by the Masters of Etwall Hospital, and Repton School, and many others.

The next day a much larger number of invited guests arrived. They again assembled in the “big school.” At eleven o’clock the Right Honourable Earl Howe, Chairman of the Governors of Etwall Hospital and Repton School arrived, the head boy, W. L. Mugliston, delivered a Latin speech. The Headmaster, Dr. Pears, read an account of the Founder, and founding of the Hospital and School, of its incorporation by royal charter, granted by King James I. in 1622, and subsequent benefactions to the School. He, further, gave an address on the principles, objects, and practical working of the School, and other kindred institutions. After this all proceeded to the Church, where they were received by the Incumbent of Repton, the Rev. W. Williams. The prayers were read by him, and the Headmaster, the lessons by the Rev. G. M. Messiter, and the Rev. G. P. Clarke. The sermon was preached by Dr. Vaughan, the Headmaster of Harrow, the text chosen was Romans XI. 36, “For of Him, and through Him, and to Him, are all things: to whom be glory for ever. Amen.”

After the service the visitors, &c., had luncheon in the “big school,” a few speeches were made, and the Rev. T. Woodrooffe, Canon of Winchester, a parent, suggested that a lasting memorial of that day should be a School Chapel, a most liberal response was made to the appeal.

Hitherto the School had worshipped in the Church, but increasing numbers had made “the building of a school chapel,” as Dr. Pears said, “no longer a matter of choice, but of necessity.” A site within the arch was applied for, but without success: at last the present site was procured, and on August 26th, 1858, in the presence of a large number of visitors, the foundation stone was laid. After a special service, Dr. Pears presented a silver trowel to Earl Howe, who, striking the stone twice with a mahogany mallet, said, “In the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, I declare this stone duly laid.”

Underneath the stone a bottle was placed containing various coins of the realm, and a parchment, bearing the following memoranda:—

Stet Fortuna Domus.
REPTON SCHOOL CHAPEL.
In commemoration of the 300th Anniversary of the Foundation of
SIR JOHN PORT’S SCHOOL AND HOSPITAL.
The first stone was laid August 26th, 1858,
By RICHARD WILLIAM PENN EARL HOWE,
Acting Governor of the School and Hospital.
Hereditary Governors of the School and Hospital:
EARL HOWE, for Marquis of Hastings, a minor;
EARL CHESTERFIELD; SIR R. GERARD, Bart.
Master of the Hospital—REV. W. E. MOUSLEY;
Headmaster of the School—S. A. PEARS, D.D.;
First Usher—REV. G. M. MESSITER.
Second Usher—REV. G. P. CLARKE.

BUILDING COMMITTEE.

• Hon. G. Denman.
• Dr. Pears.
• Rev. W. E. Mousley.
• Rev. G. M. Messiter.
• Rev. G. P. Clarke.
• A. Hewgill, Esq., M.D.
• T. P. Bainbrigge, Esq.
• A. N. Mosley, Esq.
• I. Clay, Esq.
• B. W. Spilsbury, Esq.
• Rev. J. F. Bateman.
• Rev. E. J. Selwyn.
• Rev. J. Davies.
• C. Worthington, Esq.

Architect—I. H. STEVENS. Builders—Messrs. LILLEY & ELLIOTT.

SCHOOL CHAPEL.

The Chapel originally consisted of nave and two transepts, with a five-light window in the east end. In 1867 a semi-octagonal apse was added at the east end, in memory of Mrs. Pears, who died in April, 1866. In 1880 the nave was extended, two bays, westwards, and an organ, built by Messrs. Gray and Davidson, was fixed to its west wall. In 1884-5 a south aisle was added, the organ removed to its east end, the middle window inserted in the west wall of the nave, and gas was introduced. The style of the building is Perpendicular.

To the memory of Masters, Boys, &c., many of the windows in the apse, south transept, south aisle, and nave, have been filled with stained glass, most of them by Messrs. J. Powell and Sons, of Whitefriars, London.

The windows in the apse, three pairs of lights, are full-length figures of Moses and John the Baptist, two of Our Lord, and S.S. Peter and Paul. Beneath the figures are medallions illustrating an event in their lives; (1) Moses striking the rock, (2) John baptizing our Lord, (3) Jesus in the home at Nazareth, (4) Jesus with S.S. Peter, James and John, (5) S.S. Peter and John at “the gate Beautiful,” (6) S. Paul preaching at Athens.

In the south transept, a beautiful little window, our Lord with an infant in His lap.

In the south aisle are six pairs of lights, with full-length figures and medallions, illustrating the Beatitudes.

At the west end of the south aisle is a three-light window. Subject: “Christ the Light of the World.”

The rose window in the west end of the nave was placed there by E. Estridge, Esq., in 1881.

The three lights below representing Faith, Hope, and Charity.

At the east end of the nave is a beautiful window with angels and flowers.

On the walls in the apse are three brasses in memory of three Headmasters—Drs. Peile, Pears and Huckin. In the choir are brasses in memory of Mr. Messiter, Mr. Johnson and Mr. Latham, Assistant Masters.

In the south transept a brass in memory of the Right Honble. George Denman.

Mrs. Huckin presented the brass lectern to the Chapel in 1880.

In 1884 a bell, bearing the following inscription,

was placed in the chapel turret.

On the nave walls are brasses in memory of the following boys:—C. P. Aylmer, J. H. P. Lighton, J. A. Barber, C. F. Blagg, N. Baskerville Mynors, H. Goodwin Brooks, F. Levy, A. S. Darrock, J. Stratford Collins.

On the outside of the Chapel, round the three sides of the apse, and along the south side, are the following inscriptions:—