King's College Chapel, Cambridge

King's College Chapel is the chapel of King's College in the University of Cambridge. It is a great example of late Perpendicular Gothic English architecture and has the world's largest fan vault.

The chapel was built over many years, starting in 1446 and finishing in 1515. During this time, England went through big changes.

The chapel has beautiful large stained glass windows that were finished by 1531. It also has an important early Renaissance rood screen put up between 1532 and 1536. Today, the chapel is still used for worship and is home to the famous King's College Choir. It is a well-known landmark and a symbol of the city of Cambridge.

Construction

The world's largest fan vault, built between 1512 and 1515 in King's College Chapel

Henry VI wanted to build a chapel like Eton College. Reginald Ely was the architect and started in 1446. The chapel took many years to build and finished in 1515. During this time, England had big changes and wars, but building continued.

The chapel is famous for its large fan vault, made between 1512 and 1515. It has beautiful old stained glass windows. Above the altar is a famous painting called The Adoration of the Magi by Rubens. This painting was added much later, in 1968. Today, it looks good with shutters on the sides.

Even during tough times like the English Civil War, the chapel stayed safe. Some soldiers left marks on the walls, but the building was not damaged. During the Second World War, the stained glass was hidden away to keep it safe, and the chapel was protected.

Great windows

The Great East Window

The windows of King's College Chapel are some of the best from their time. There are 12 big windows on each side of the Chapel, with even bigger ones at the east and west ends. Most of these windows were made by artists from Flemish between 1515 and 1531. Barnard Flower made four of them, and Galyon Hone and his partners made the east window and 16 others. The last four windows were made by Francis Williamson and Symon Symondes. The west window is newer, made in 1879 by the Clayton and Bell company and given by a former student of the college, Francis Stacey.

Rood screen

The rood screen, organ, and fan vault

This large wooden screen separates the ante-chapel from the choir and holds the organ. It was built between 1532 and 1536. The screen shows an early Renaissance style, which looks different from the Perpendicular Gothic design of the Chapel. A famous expert named Sir Nikolaus Pevsner thought it was very beautiful.

Current use

The Chapel is used for worship and special events, such as a popular concert each year. It is famous for its great sound and has the well-known Choir of King's College, Cambridge, made up of students and young singers. The choir sings almost every day during school terms and also gives concerts, makes recordings, and does broadcasts.

The BBC often broadcasts the choir's special Christmas service on Christmas Eve. There is also a student choir called King's Voices that sings on Monday evenings during term-time. Many people see the chapel as a symbol of Cambridge.

Dean of the Chapel

The Dean of the Chapel helps plan services and activities at King's College Chapel. The Dean works with college leaders and is usually approved by the Bishop of Ely. Both the Dean and the Chaplain help lead the services, often joining six days a week during special college times, and each gives speeches a few times each term. The Chapel has a special group, led by the Dean, that makes decisions about how things run. There is also a group for organizing the chapel choir, which the Dean also leads.

Revd Mary Kells has been the Chaplain since September 2021. Before her, Revd Ayla Lepine served from 2020 to 2021, and Revd Tom McLean was the Interim Chaplain in 2020. Many others have served as Chaplain and Dean over the years.