The Chapel: Through the Archives

The 10th October 2024, marks the 100th Anniversary of the the opening of the School Chapel. The current Chapel is in fact the second built at Chigwell School. The first was consecrated on the 15th of May 1873: originating as the Dining Hall, it was a small, low-ceilinged building made of corrugated iron, which became known as the ‘Tin Chapel’.

 'Tin Chapel' interior and exterior (1923)

By the time of the First World War, though, growing pupil numbers meant that a larger space was needed. So, Headmaster Swallow proposed that a new Chapel act as a memorial to the 80 Old Chigwellians and former staff who had died in the conflict.

On the 23rd of July 1918, the first meeting about the Chapel was held at the Great Eastern Hotel, presided over by Lord Lambourne. The first donation to the project was an anonymous cheque for £50, sent from France, in memory of ‘Rex’ Mellers (OC 1898-1905) who had been killed in action in 1915.

The Foundation Stone for the new Chapel was laid in 1923, and the building was dedicated by the Bishop of Chelmsford on the 10th of October 1924. On the 10th of June 1925, the School held a service for the Dedication of the Organ.

'Memorial Chapel' (1924)

Top Field before and after the construction of the Chapel (1923 & 1925)

As it was built as a Memorial Chapel, brass plaques in the chancel commemorate the 79 Chigwell pupils and 1 teacher who lost their lives in the First World War, and (later) 50 lost in the Second. Most of the vessels and furnishings came from the old Tin Chapel, and the rest was designed by Headmaster Walde (1912-1939) or donated by Old Chigwellians.

The Architects were Tooley & Foster of Buckhurst Hill, who designed the Chapel in the Essex Tudor style, to fit with the rest of the School. In its construction, local oak was used, and the lintels were sourced from Copped Hall in Epping Forest.

Cross-section drawing for the chancel (top) and elevation drawing of the South-East (bottom) by Tooley & Foster

Chapel under construction (1923)

Back of Chapel (1930s)

Interior of the Chapel (1930s)

Interior of the Chapel (2011)

Singing in Chapel (1970s)

Singing in Chapel (1990s)

Chapel in snow (1920s)

Chapel in snow (2022)

On Sunday 28th April 2024, Chigwell School held a Chapel Centenary Celebration, where we were joined by hundreds of guests. The programme of the day included: the dedication of the Organ by the Bishop of Barking, choral and organ music, limited edition merchandise, and an exhibition and presentation by the Archivist. 

We are delighted to announce that this event has been selected as a feature in The National Archives' publication 'A Year in Archives' for 2024, which will be published in November.