Emmanuel College Chapel - Cambridge, UK - Anglican and Episcopal Churches on Waymarking.com

Emmanuel College is one of the classic Cambridge's colleges, part of the historical university of the town. One of its features is the chapel, located in the first court, standing in front of anyone entering the grounds.

The college was founded in 1584 by Sir Walter Mildmay on a site previously occupied by a Dominican friary. It is integrated in the University of Cambridge and as most colleges in Cambridge it's located in the historical center of the town, namely in St. Andrews street. Its campus and the chapel can be visited by anyone everyday from 9 AM to 6 PM.

Under Sir Walter Mildmay orientation the chapel of the monastery was converted into the dining hall and the previous dining hall was transformed in the college's chapel. But in 1677 the college decided to create a new chapel in one of the buildings constructed designed by Christopher Wren. The previous chapel used until 1930 as the library.

From the College's official website:

"The Emmanuel Chapel is an early work of Wren's. He was engaged as architect for the building by William Sancroft (Master 1662–1665). Sancroft had been Dean of St Paul's Cathedral when it burnt down in the Great Fire of London, so knew Wren well. Wren sent a wooden model of the proposed building, which sadly has not survived. One of his drawings, however, does survive at All Souls' College, Oxford. He was unable to personally supervise the Chapel's construction, although he did visit the site in October 1668.

Some of his designs were adapted, mainly the use of Ketton stone throughout. The original plans were to use red brick with stone detailing, apart from the central section. The Chapel's windows were originally planned to be narrower and more elegant than those actually built. The three central arches were originally equal in size and flanked by similar–sized Cloister arches. However, they were widened in 1677 to give them more prominence. The Gallery design is typical of Christopher Wren's 'ambiguous' designs. It masks the front of the Chapel, but presents its façade in the centre.

Its exterior was completed in 1673, with a date stone installed above the clock. However, the Chapel itself was not completed and ready for use until 1677. This is when the consecration ceremony was held. Even then, work on the interior took several more years to complete. Wren did not, so far as we know, have a hand in much of the design of the fixtures & fittings. The decorative plaster ceiling was designed & completed by John Grove in 1672. However, Wren may have chosen Messrs Peirce & Oliver of London to design the stalls and panelling. He had worked with them in previous buildings. Their designs were skilfully executed by Cornelius Austin of Cambridge, in 1678. The reredos and carved altar rail were completed in 1687. Their style and quality suggest that they may also be the work of Edward Pierce.

Chapel interior stretching away from the camera. The pavement is black and white and the room is half wood panelled. The rest of the room is white, with an altarpiece and rail at the far end. There is a large glass chandelier in the middle, and the image is illuminated with candles.The altarpiece is a large oil painting showing the Return of the Prodigal Son by Pietro Amigoni. This is an unusual choice of subject for an altarpiece, and was given by Christopher Nevile in 1734. The silver candlesticks were made by by Frederick Kandler of St James's, London. They were given in 1764 by an alumnus, Robert Trefusis. The silver cross on the altar follows their design. It was commissioned as a memorial to Emmanuel men who died in WWII. It was made by Howard Brown of Norwich. The large glass chandelier was given in 1732 by Edward Hulse, Physician-in-Ordinary to George II. It is likely that this was also when the decoration was added to the chandelier's ceiling boss.

The Chapel's windows were originally made of clear glass. These were replaced in 1884 by the current Gothic Revival glass. This glass was designed & installed by Heaton Butler & Bayne of Covent Garden who were one of the leading manufacturers. The themes depict the continuity of the Christian church and the part played in its history by Emmanuel men. The figures were chosen by the Rev'd Fenton Hort, an Emmanuel Fellow. He was the University's Hulse Professor of Divinity & a renowned New Testament scholar. The windows nearest the altar represent the Early Fathers: Anselm, Augustine, Origen & Eriugena. The next show Reformation scholars and martyrs: Fisher, Cranmer, Colet & Tyndale. Others depict alumni who were involved in theology during their careers. These include our first Master Laurence Chaderton, & John Harvard. Three of the Cambridge Platonists are also shown: Whichcote, Sterry & Smith. The final windows represent senior churchmen like Bedell, Sancroft & Law.

A pale stone coloured cloister illuminated by sun, stretching away from the camera. Memorials on the stones.The wide Cloister spans the length of Front Court. It is under the Gallery and gives a monastic feel. This is fitting as there may have been a similar Dominican Cloister in the 1230s. There are memorial stones on the walls & paving to members of the College community over the years. At the south end is the War Memorial. This was sculpted of Purbeck marble, by Ernest Gillick. Engraved on this is the College shield and the names of the Emmanuel men who died in WWI.

A room with green walls stretching away from the camera. Paintings on all the walls with a glass paned door at the far end, with shields above. A long table and chairs stretch the length of the room.The Gallery runs the whole length of the Cloister. It was originally part of the Master's lodgings. It is wood–panelled, but this has gone through many colours & changes. It was painted bright olive green in the early eighteenth century. Subsequently the woodwork was stripped and not repainted until the middle of the twentieth century. The olive tint was restored, but proved universally unpopular. It was then painted to its blue-ish green in the 1990s. The walls are hung with portraits of historic college members and benefactors. The long table was donated in the late nineteenth century, and the room is used for meetings & dinners."

Active Church: Yes School on property: Yes Date Built: 01/01/1677 Website: [Web Link] Service Times: Not listed

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