Christ's College Chapel facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Christ's College Chapel |
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Christ's College Chapel in April 2011
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| 43°31′50″S 172°37′35″E / 43.5305°S 172.6265°E | |
| Location | Christchurch Central City |
| Country | New Zealand |
| Denomination | Anglican |
| Architecture | |
| Functional status | School chapel |
| Heritage designation | Category I |
| Designated | 27 June 1985 |
| Architect(s) | Robert Speechly (1867) Benjamin Mountfort (1880s extensions) Paul Pascoe (1955 extension) |
| Style | Gothic Revival |
| Completed | 1867 |
The Christ's College Chapel is a special building located at Christ's College, Christchurch, a well-known school in New Zealand. Chapels are places of worship, often used by schools or colleges for services, quiet reflection, and important events. This chapel has a rich history and a unique architectural style.
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What Does the Chapel Look Like?
The chapel was first designed by an architect named Robert Speechly. It was built in 1867. Its design was simple and fit in well with the older "Big School" building at Christ's College.
How the Chapel Grew Over Time
Over the years, the chapel was made bigger. In 1884, another architect, Benjamin Mountfort, added new parts to it. He designed "transepts" (parts that stick out from the sides, making the building look like a cross) and a "chancel" (the area near the altar where the choir sits). Mountfort also added a special room for the organ in 1888.
Much later, in 1955, the chapel almost doubled in size! This expansion was designed by Paul Pascoe. He made sure the new parts still matched the original "Gothic Revival" style of the school's buildings. This style brings back the look of old European churches with pointed arches and tall windows.
A Place for Important Events
The chapel is not just for regular services. It's also used for special events. For example, it was the location for the funeral of a famous Christchurch architect, Peter Beaven, in 2012.
A Protected Historic Building
The Christ's College Chapel is considered a very important building. On June 27, 1985, the New Zealand Historic Places Trust officially recognized it as a heritage building. It was given the number 3277 and was first classified as "A." Later, when the system changed, it became a "Category I" listing. This means it's one of New Zealand's most historically significant buildings.
See also
