Chapel life is integral to the ethos and community of the College. It serves as a communal place where pupils gather for regular services during the school week. The Chapel fosters a sense of community and provides a space for reflection, worship, and personal growth. Pupils of all faiths and none are encouraged to see the chapel as an inclusive place to grow and reflect upon values, morality and spirituality.
Chapel Ethos
The chapel ethos is inclusive, and everyone connected with the Bradfield community, regardless of their particular beliefs, are welcome and encouraged to engage with the moral and spiritual life of our community in our beautiful Chapel. The services are distinctively Christian but are accessible to those of all faiths and none.
The Chapel is situated at the heart of the school. On Tuesday and Thursday mornings, there is a short service led by either staff or pupils, which also involves the singing of a hymn. On Friday evenings, we have a choral service, frequently with visiting preachers. Chapel is a place where many pupils have developed their leadership skills through leading worship, reading from the Bible or leading a prayer, and delivering reflections.
History of the Chapel
Prior to 1893, the College went to the parish church of St Andrew’s for worship, which is located the other side of the Quadrangle. However, as the College grew the decision was made to build a Chapel to accommodate the increasing numbers. The foundation stone of the Chapel was laid in 1891 by Lord Stamford, and the completed western half was consecrated in 1893 by the Bishop of Oxford, The Rt Revd William Stubbs. At this stage, the Chapel, although unfinished, could hold 250.
In the late 1890s the decision was made to complete the Chapel according to the original designs by Mr John Oldrid Scott to hold 450. Mr Scott’s father, Sir Gilbert Scott, had restored the parish church of St Andrew, and also Mr Scott married Mary Ann Stevens the eldest daughter of The Reverend Thomas Stevens, the founder of Bradfield College.
Bradfield College Chapel as we find it today was opened on Saturday 20 June 1903 by the Bishop of Oxford, The Rt Revd Francis Paget DD, at Commemoration. Dr Paget in his sermon at the opening of the Chapel dwelt upon the great influence which a school chapel has upon pupils. The value of the Chapel was he said, that from generation to generation pupils should come there and think the thoughts of youth and hear the words that one by one the touch of life would turn to truth. A school chapel also taught pupils to live for the social and corporate life and to set this cause above renown. (See The Times, Monday, June 22, 1903, pg. 6, col B)
The College grace
The College Grace is a long-standing tradition at Bradfield, still recited in Latin before formal dinners today. This grace reflects a spirit of gratitude for all God’s good gifts and invokes God’s blessings upon the food we are about to receive. Below is the grace in its Latin form, followed by its English translation.
BENEDIC NOBIS DOMINE DEUS atque iis donis Tuis quae de Tua largitate sumus sumpturi, per Jesum Christum Dominum Nostrum.
AMEN
Translation
BLESS US, LORD GOD and these thy gifts which we are about to receive from thy bounty, through Jesus Christ Our Lord. AMEN
Following the meal this Latin prayer used to be offered.
Agimus Tibi gratias, Omnipotens Deus, pro his et universis donis Tuis, quae de Tua largitate accepimus, Qui vivis et regnas et es Deus in saecula saeculorum.
AMEN
Translation
We Give thee thanks Almighty God for these and all thy gifts which we have received of thy bounty, who livest and reignest, and art God for ever and ever. AMEN
Recently, the College Grace was set to music in an anthem by the composer Libby Croad.
Pupil Leadership in Chapel
Pupil involvement and leadership are key to the life of the Chapel throughout the year. Each House provides a Chapel rep who helps to provide leadership in chapel life. House reps meet every term and help to arrange for pupils from their Houses to read and lead prayers in chapel services.
Additionally, every year each House plans and delivers a pupil-led House Chapel on a Tuesday or Thursday morning. Our House Reps also help to coordinate our College’s Harvest Collection. Pupils are also involved in our Remembrance Services, including reading the Roll of Honour on Remembrance Sunday. Pupils also read our lessons at our carol services.
Carol Services
CAROLS BY CANDLELIGHT 2023
Every year at the end of the Michaelmas Term, the Chapel hosts carol services to which all the Bradfield Community are warmly invited. Our first carol service of the year is in honour of the Charlie Waller Memorial Trust. This is followed by our Bradfield Society service on Winter Bradfield Day, after the Huxham run. This service is always popular with OBs, members from our local community, as well as those currently in the school.
On the Monday, we go to St Gabriel’s Church in Warwick Square, Pimlico, for the Bradfield community in London. Our two College Carol Services take place on Tuesday and Wednesday that week in our College Chapel; all are most welcome to attend. Tickets are available here.
Parents Prayer Group
Bradfield has a Parents Prayer Group which meets both in person and online to pray for our school. Parents, relatives, and guardians are most welcome to join this fellowship group. Do email the chaplain for further details: phansell@bradfieldcollege.org.uk.
Weddings and Baptisms
Bradfield College Chapel has many weddings and baptisms for OBs or current or former members of staff. If you are interested in exploring this further, please email the Chaplain: phansell@bradfieldcollege.org.uk.
Confirmation
During May, Bradfield hosts a Confirmation Service in College Chapel, in the Anglican tradition, on a Sunday morning. These occasions are usually well attended, and the College hosts a lunch for all friends and family of the pupils being confirmed. Preparation sessions take place on Thursday evenings during the Lent Term over supper at 6pm. If you are interested in finding out more, please feel free to contact the chaplain.
Swinbank Society
The Swinbank Society has a long history at Bradfield College; named after a former Chaplain and Housemaster of Army House, the Reverend John Swinbank, the society has been meeting weekly for over 70 years. In its current format the society usually meets on Tuesday evenings in the Warden’s Room, where pupils from all year groups, of all faiths and none, gather in an informal setting to listen to a guest speaker give a talk from the Bible and ask questions afterwards. For further details, email Mr Anand Singh (asingh@bradfieldcollege.org.uk).
