Guildford Grammar School Chapel facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Guildford Grammar School Chapel |
|
|---|---|
Guildford Grammar School Chapel
|
|
| 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 building in East Guildford, Western Australia. It is owned and used by Guildford Grammar School (GGS). This chapel is listed on the State Register of Heritage Places, meaning it's an important historical site.
Contents
A Look Back: The Chapel's History
The idea for the chapel came from Canon Percy Umphreyville Henn. He was the headmaster of Guildford Grammar School starting in 1909. He wanted to build a beautiful chapel for the school.
A kind person from England, Cecil Oliverson, paid for the entire building. The chapel was finished and officially opened in 1914. It was built using strong Donnybrook stone. The inside features beautiful woodwork made from English Oak. Mr. Oliverson also gave a large, shiny gold decoration for above the altar.
The Chapel During World War II
During the Second World War, the United States Navy used Guildford Grammar School as a hospital. The students had to move to another place for three months. The Navy painted two big red crosses on the chapel roof. These crosses showed that it was a hospital and should not be attacked.
When the students came back in 1943, the Australian Army offered to fix the roof. But the school decided to just paint over the crosses with roof-colored paint. Today, that paint has mostly worn off. You can now see the red crosses again. They are a reminder of the school's role during the war.
Later Events and Repairs
In 1968, an earthquake in Meckering caused some damage to the chapel. The central bell tower on the roof was affected. Later, in 1980, a fire in a small room called the sacristy destroyed a special Bible. This Bible had been a gift to the school from King George V of the United Kingdom. Queen Elizabeth II later gave the school a new Bible to replace the lost one.
What Happens at the Chapel
The chapel is a very busy place during the school year. Students use it every day for services and to practice singing together. Students who live at the school, called boarders, and other members of the school community attend Sunday services.
Many weddings happen at the chapel almost every week. Other special ceremonies like Baptisms, First Communions, and Confirmations are also held often. Funerals happen sometimes, but not very often. The chapel also hosts special services for holidays like Palm Sunday, Easter, and Christmas.
The Chapel's Special Design
The Guildford Grammar School Chapel has a very unique design. It is an example of the Gothic Perpendicular Revival style. This style was popular for churches and cathedrals. The chapel was designed in 1912 by a famous English architect named Sir Walter Tapper. Many skilled workers, including some from the United Kingdom, helped build it.
Because of its beautiful and unique look, many photographers have taken pictures of the chapel. Important places like the National Library of Australia and the Battye Library in Western Australia have large collections of these photographs.
