Irving Memorial Chapel, Bouctouche
The Irving Memorial Chapel stands in an established arboretum next to an old Protestant burial ground which contains memorials to the many Scots families from southwest Scotland who emigrated to Bouctouche in New Brunswick, Canada. The Irving family and local community have maintained strong links with their ancestral homeland and called upon Simpson & Brown's particular knowledge of traditional Scottish ecclesiastical architecture to help them build their new chapel.
The masonry and most of the interior details were drawn from Scottish precedent, although the joinery of the steeple could be interpreted as more 'New World' than 'Old'. The chapel has an open timber roof, articulated by four enormous king post trusses which were turned on a giant lathe. The commission provided a wonderful opportunity to work on all elements of the building, from its overall form through to the detailed design of furniture, stained glass, panelling, custom-made ironmongery and embroidery. Acknowledgement must be given to Murray John Architects of London, who assisted with the design of the joinery elements.
