James Pigott Pritchett Jr

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This article is about the Darlington architect (1830-1911). For his father, the York architect (1789-1868), see James Pigott Pritchett.
Pritchett's church of St Nicholas, Durham

James Pigott Pritchett FRIBA (14 May 1830 – 22 September 1911), known as J P Pritchett junior or J P Pritchett of Darlington, was a British architect.

Biography[edit]

Early life[edit]

He was born in York, the son of architect James Pigott Pritchett senior (1789 – 1868) and his second wife Caroline Benson.[1] He was educated at St Peter's School, York, before being articled to his father's architectural firm in 1845.[1][2] He travelled in Europe, the Near East and Africa.[1]

Career[edit]

In 1854, he succeeded to the architectural practice of his brother-in-law John Middleton in Darlington, where he would continue to work until his retirement.[1][2]

Contemporary engraving of Pritchett's chapel at Boston Cemetery

The same year, his father's firm, Pritchett & Sons of York, won a competition to design two chapels, a lodge and entrance gates for the new Boston Cemetery in Lincolnshire, but it was Pritchett junior who attended the meeting in July 1854 and was commissioned to prepare plans.[3] He provided the layout for the grounds and plans for twin chapels and a lodge, all in the gothic style, which were constructed by 1855 when the Anglican chapel was consecrated and the first interment took place.[4] The layout of the cemetery, lodge and Anglican chapel remain intact, though the identical nonconformist chapel was demolished in 1961.[3]

Also in 1854, Pritchett was engaged to renovate the medieval St Nicholas Church, Durham, and when the building was found to be beyond repair he was commissioned to design a replacement.[5] The new church was opened in 1858 and described by the Illustrated London News as "the most beautiful specimen of church architecture in the north of England".[6]

He constructed over 100 more churches and during his career, and was particularly associated with churches in Darlington,[3] although Nikolaus Pevsner believed that St Nicholas Durham remained among his best.[2] He also designed the chapels and lodge at Darlington West Cemetery and around 20 other cemeteries.[3][7]

He was a member of the Archaeological Society of Durham and Northumberland, a founding member of the Northern Architectural Association, and a Fellow of the Royal Institute of British Architects.[3]

His son, Herbert Dewes Pritchett (born 1859) joined him in practice in 1880, and became a partner in 1900.[1]

Death[edit]

Pritchett retired around 1910, and died in 1911 at Glendower, Teddington, London.[1] His obituary in the Darlington & Stockton Times referred to him as "an architect of considerable ability".[3] He was buried in Darlington West Cemetery, for which he designed the buildings.[8]

Notable works[edit]

References[edit]

  1. ^ a b c d e f Brodie, Antonia; Library, British Architectural (2001). Directory of British Architects, 1834-1914. Vol. 2. p. 414. ISBN 9780826455147.
  2. ^ a b c Dodds, Derek (2019). Durham City in 50 Buildings. Amberley Books. ISBN 9781445687575.
  3. ^ a b c d e f Historic England. "Boston Cemetery Chapel (Grade II) (1391801)". National Heritage List for England. Retrieved 28 Jan 2020.
  4. ^ Historic England. "Boston Cemetery (Grade II) (1000935)". National Heritage List for England. Retrieved 28 Jan 2020.
  5. ^ Proud, Keith (29 January 2009). "Lesser jewels that light up cathedral's shadow". The Northern Echo.
  6. ^ "St Nicholas' Church, Durham". The British Library. Retrieved 28 January 2020.
  7. ^ Historic England. "West Cemetery, Darlington (Grade II) (1001562)". National Heritage List for England. Retrieved 28 Jan 2020.
  8. ^ "Guide to West Cemetery in Darlington". About Darlington. Retrieved 28 January 2020.
  9. ^ "New Congregational Church at Ilkley. Opening Services". Leeds Mercury. England. 17 June 1869. Retrieved 20 August 2023 – via British Newspaper Archive.
  10. ^ Johnson, Michael (2016). Sunderland in 50 Buildings. Amberley Books. ISBN 9781445651187.
  11. ^ Historic England. "West Park United Reformed Church, Stockton Road (Grade II) (1207132)". National Heritage List for England.
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