The College Chapel is one of the most recognisable places of worship in Cambridge, but it is in fact a relatively recent addition to the city skyline.
Until the late 1860s, the College was served by a Chapel built in the Tudor era, dating back to the foundation of the College in 1511. That earlier structure was itself a rebuilding of the 13th century Hospital of St John which predated the College.
.png)
Whether it is within medieval, Tudor or Victorian walls, Christian worship has been taking place here for centuries and continues to be at the heart of College life to this day.
The need to serve the worshipping needs of the College was a major reason for the building of the current Chapel.By the 1800s the old Chapel, at a mere 100ft long and 25ft wide, was considered by many to be too small for the College which had greatly increased in student numbers over the years.
In 1862 renowned architect George Gilbert Scott was asked to design a new chapel for St John’s. Taking inspiration from the chapels of Merton and Exeter Colleges in Oxford, as well as the Sainte-Chapelle in Paris, Scott’s solution of fitting a larger chapel into the existing First Court of the College was ingenious.
Built from several types of stone, mostly quarried in the UK and Ireland, the Chapel is a stunning displayof Victorian architecture, design and art, both inside and out.
The painted Chapel windows depict New Testament stories, the tiled floor includes scenes from the Old Testament and the Zodiac, and the roof vault is painted with Christian figures from the 2nd to the 19th centuries.
The acoustic of the Chapel is particularly fine and is perfect for the world-famous College Choir which continues to sing seven services a week as part of the daily worshipping life of St John’s.
Although it was demolished, several signs of the previous 16th century Chapel remain. The outline of the earlier walls is clearly visible in First Court, and wooden Tudor pews form part of the seating in the current Chapel.
One of the most noticeable features of the Chapel is the tower. There was no tower in the original plans but an alumnus, Henry Hoare, offered to pay for the cost. Tragically a few years after he promised the money, Hoare was killed in a railway incident. As work had already begun, the College met the remaining cost.
Despite the construction challenges, the tower is a remarkable piece of architecture, providing views across the city and on Ascension Day each year, the College Choir climbs the tower to sing the Ascension Day Carol.
The Chapel retains its place at the heart of St John’s in the 21st century. Each day, students, Fellows, staff members, visitors and tourists come to seek peace, beauty and inspiration within its walls. The history of those who have gone before forms an important part of the Chapel’s life in the present day; it is a place which draws on its rich heritage to serve the College and the wider community now and into the future.
