Memorial Chapel, The Leys School facts for kids
The Memorial Chapel of The Leys is a beautiful building located at The Leys School in Cambridge, England. It was built to remember the school's first headmaster, William Fiddian Moulton. The chapel was designed by an architect named Robert Curwen.
At first, the school's second headmaster, W. T. A. Barber, thought the chapel was too expensive. So, school services continued in the school hall. But in 1904, the school leaders decided to build it. The chapel, including all its furniture, cost about £39,000 by 1925.
The first stone of the chapel was placed on June 8, 1905, by Princess Helena of Waldeck and Pyrmont. The chapel was officially opened on October 27, 1906. Its design is called Gothic Revival, which means it looks like old Gothic churches. This style helps it fit in with the other buildings around it.
Inside, all the wood you can see is made of oak. The roof has fancy wooden designs, similar to the famous roof of Westminster Hall. The floor is made of black and white marble tiles. The chapel was built to hold 350 students, and there was a special balcony for staff members.
Contents
Remembering Heroes: The War Memorial
Honoring Old Leysians
During the First World War, which happened from 1914 to 1918, many students from The Leys School joined the military. About 927 former students, called Leysians, served in the war. Sadly, 146 of them died.
To remember these brave individuals, a special memorial was built. It cost £48,000 and was paid for by donations. On June 6, 1920, the Duke of York, who later became King George VI, officially revealed the memorial.
What the Memorial Looks Like
The memorial has four rows of names of the students who died. In the middle, there is a statue of St George wearing armor. Below the statue, it says: "To The Immortal Memory of Old Leysians Who Fell In The War Of 1914–1919." There are also big words that say: "My Marks And Scars With Me To Be A Witness For Me That I Have Fought His Battles Who Now Will Be My Reward."
Colorful Stories: The Stained Glass Windows
A Unified Theme
The chapel has fourteen windows, and they are all decorated with beautiful stained glass. The school leaders asked an artist named H. J. Salisbury to design all the windows with one main idea. His work was inspired by the windows in King's College Chapel, Cambridge.
Simple and Meaningful Designs
Because The Leys is a Methodist school, the window designs needed to be simple. They avoided complicated symbols. Most of the windows show stories from the New Testament about Christ. However, the large window above the main entrance is different. It shows ten stories from the Old Testament that predict the coming of the Messiah.
The Pulpit: Where Sermons Are Given
The pulpit is a raised stand where someone gives a sermon or speech. The one in the chapel is made of oak wood. It has a brass sign that says: "To the Glory of God and for the Preaching of His holy word this Pulpit was carved by Anne Hobson, Helen Mary Chubb, and George Hayter Chubb, and presented by the latter to The Leys, October, 1906." This means it was carved by three people and given to the school in 1906.
Seating for Everyone: The Benches
The chapel has thirty-two benches, all made of oak. Thirty of these benches have square ends, and two have sloping ends. These benches provide seating for everyone attending services in the chapel.
