Chapel of King's College London facts for kids
Quick facts for kids The Chapel of King's College London |
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The Grade I listed college chapel on the Strand Campus seen today was redesigned in 1864 by Sir George Gilbert Scott
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| Status | Active |
| Location | |
| Location | King's College London, Strand, London |
| Architecture | |
| Architectural type | Chapel |
| Completed | 1831 - Sir Robert Smirke 1864 - Sir George Gilbert Scott |
The Chapel of King's College London is a very old and important building. It is located at the Strand Campus of King's College in London, England. This chapel is so special that it's a Grade I listed building. This means it's one of the most important historic buildings in the country.
The first design for the chapel was made by Sir Robert Smirke in 1831. But the chapel you see today was completely redesigned in 1864. A famous architect from the Victorian era, Sir George Gilbert Scott, gave it a new look. He used a style called Gothic, which was very popular back then.
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History of the Chapel
The first chapel was finished in 1831. It was part of the main college building, now called the King's Building. King's College was started with strong ties to the Church of England. Because of this, the chapel was a really important part of the campus. It was placed right in the middle of the King's Building, on the first floor. You could reach it by a grand staircase from the main entrance.
People described the first chapel as a low and wide room. But by the mid-1800s, its style was considered old-fashioned. In 1859, the college chaplain, E. H. Plumptre, suggested rebuilding the chapel. The college leaders agreed, saying the old chapel was "meagre and poor" and not good enough for King's College.
So, the college asked Sir George Gilbert Scott to create new plans. In 1859, he suggested making the chapel look like an ancient classical basilica. This idea was accepted. The rebuilding work finished in 1864 and cost about £7,000.
Changes Over Time
Scott faced some challenges because the chapel was built above the Great Hall. He used a special lightweight building method for the walls and arches.
Over the years, the chapel changed more. Scott's original roof was covered with canvas that had star designs. But this was replaced in the 1930s. The windows, which had beautiful stained glass, were damaged during the Second World War.
After the war, in 1948, architect Stephen Dykes Bower was asked to help. He replaced the stained glass with tinted cathedral glass. The columns and wall designs were also repainted.
The Chapel Today
In the 21st century, the college wanted the chapel to feel both traditional and modern. Plans to restore and update the chapel began in 1996. The actual restoration work was completed in 2001.
The Apse: A Special Part of the Chapel
The semi-dome at the end of the chapel, called the apse, has a beautiful mosaic. This mosaic is a copy of one by Antonio Salviati. It shows Christ in Majesty, which means Jesus Christ shown as a king, surrounded by angels.
On either side of the main arch, there are decorated panels. These panels have figures holding scrolls. On the scrolls, you can see the motto of King's College: Sancte et Sapienter. This is Latin for "With Holiness and Wisdom." There are also other Christian writings.
Above the arches on each side of the main area, you can see painted heads. These are the heads of important religious thinkers called Doctors of the Church. There are also four important Anglican Divines from the 16th and 17th centuries. These paintings were added later, as they were not in Gilbert Scott's first drawings.
Chapel Roles
The chapel has important roles like Deans and Organists. These people help lead the chapel's activities and music.
