Guildford Grammar School Chapel facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Guildford Grammar School Chapel |
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Guildford Grammar School Chapel
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| General information | |
| Type | Chapel |
| Location | East Guildford, Western Australia |
| Coordinates | 31°53′41″S 115°58′52″E / 31.8948°S 115.9811°E |
| Type | State Registered Place |
| Designated | 7 April 1998 |
| Reference no. | 2487 |
The Guildford Grammar School Chapel, also known as the Chapel of St. Mary and St. George, is a special old building. It's located in East Guildford, Western Australia. This chapel is owned and used by Guildford Grammar School. It's so important that it's listed as a Heritage building!
Contents
A Look Back: The Chapel's Story
The Chapel of St. Mary and St. George was built a long time ago. This happened when Canon Percy Umphreyville Henn was the headmaster. He started looking for money to build it right after he became headmaster in 1909.
He found a very kind person named Cecil Oliverson from England. Mr. Oliverson paid for the entire building! The chapel was officially opened in 1914. It was made from Donnybrook stone. The wood inside, like the altar screen, was made from English Oak. Mr. Oliverson also gave the large, shiny gold screen behind the altar.
The Chapel During World War II
During the Second World War, something unusual happened. The United States Navy used Guildford Grammar School as a hospital. For three months, the students had to move to Fairbridge, near Pinjarra. The Navy painted two big red crosses on the chapel roof. These crosses were on each side of the roof.
When the students came back in 1943, the Australian Army offered to fix the roof. They wanted to replace the painted tiles. But the school decided to just paint over the crosses with tile-coloured paint. Today, that paint has mostly worn off. So, you can see the red crosses again! They remind everyone of the school's part in the war.
Damage and Replacements
In 1968, a big earthquake hit Meckering. This earthquake caused damage to the chapel. The central bell tower on the roof was hurt, and other parts of the building were also damaged.
A special bible was given to the school by King George V of the United Kingdom. Sadly, this bible was destroyed in a fire in 1980. The fire happened in a small room called the sacristy. Queen Elizabeth II later gave the school a new bible to replace the lost one.
What Happens Here?
The chapel is used almost every day when school is on. Students attend services and practice singing together. Students who live at the school, called boarders, and other school community members come to Sunday services.
Many weddings are held in the chapel almost every week. Other special events happen often too. These include Baptisms, first Holy Communions, and Confirmations. Funerals happen only rarely. The chapel also holds special services for holidays like Palm Sunday, Easter, and Christmas.
Amazing Architecture
The Guildford Grammar School Chapel is a very special building. It's one of the newest examples of a style called Gothic Perpendicular Revival in Australia. This style brings back old building ideas.
The chapel was designed in 1912 by a famous English architect, Sir Walter Tapper. Many skilled workers helped build it. Some of these workers even came all the way from the United Kingdom!
Because of its unique design, many photographers have taken pictures of the chapel. The National Library of Australia in Western Australia has many photos of this beautiful building.
Images for kids
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Guildford Grammar School Chapel
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The chapel around the 1930s
