Jesus College Chapel, Cambridge
Jesus College may not be the oldest of Cambridge's colleges, but regardless it can still boast the oldest chapel. The present cruciform building was formerly the monastic church of St Mary & St Radegund, a convent of nuns founded in 1157. This was dissolved in 1496 when the present college was founded on the same site by Bishop John Alcock with the former convent church adapted to use as the present college chapel, which involved various modifications to its structure including the demolition of various parts including the greater part of the nave. The present chapel is thus a reduced version of the original church, but it is still distinctly different in form from other college chapels, making its former monastic use all the more apparent.
One approaches the chapel from the north west via a cloister (much altered from its original state) and it is immediately clear that much of the nave has been replaced by college buildings, reducing it to similar dimensions to the transepts. The central tower is square and somewhat squat, a late medieval rebuild after the foundation of the college.
Inside the truncated nave there would be a sense of starkness from the plain white walls were it not for the splashes of colour from the windows and the richly decorated ceiling, all beautiful examples of Pre-Raphaelite art by William Morris and his circle, the chapel windows being largely filled with a series of figures from cartoons by Burne Jones. The effect is rich and satisfying and has breathed new life into this ancient building. The choir beyond is partially concealed by rich woodwork, the chancel screen and the elaborately carved stalls which retain some notable examples of late medieval carving. The choir itself is a handsome example of Early English architecture with slender lancet windows, these being filled with Hardman glass, the only windows not adorned with Morris & Co designs.
Jesus College Chapel is one of my absolute favourites, a delightful building with some beautiful glass. Happily it seems to be one of the more visitor friendly colleges in Cambridge having always found it possible to wander around freely whilst somehow avoiding the crowds of tourists that certain other Cambridge colleges attract.
For more background information see the article below:-
Jesus College Chapel, Cambridge
Jesus College may not be the oldest of Cambridge's colleges, but regardless it can still boast the oldest chapel. The present cruciform building was formerly the monastic church of St Mary & St Radegund, a convent of nuns founded in 1157. This was dissolved in 1496 when the present college was founded on the same site by Bishop John Alcock with the former convent church adapted to use as the present college chapel, which involved various modifications to its structure including the demolition of various parts including the greater part of the nave. The present chapel is thus a reduced version of the original church, but it is still distinctly different in form from other college chapels, making its former monastic use all the more apparent.
One approaches the chapel from the north west via a cloister (much altered from its original state) and it is immediately clear that much of the nave has been replaced by college buildings, reducing it to similar dimensions to the transepts. The central tower is square and somewhat squat, a late medieval rebuild after the foundation of the college.
Inside the truncated nave there would be a sense of starkness from the plain white walls were it not for the splashes of colour from the windows and the richly decorated ceiling, all beautiful examples of Pre-Raphaelite art by William Morris and his circle, the chapel windows being largely filled with a series of figures from cartoons by Burne Jones. The effect is rich and satisfying and has breathed new life into this ancient building. The choir beyond is partially concealed by rich woodwork, the chancel screen and the elaborately carved stalls which retain some notable examples of late medieval carving. The choir itself is a handsome example of Early English architecture with slender lancet windows, these being filled with Hardman glass, the only windows not adorned with Morris & Co designs.
Jesus College Chapel is one of my absolute favourites, a delightful building with some beautiful glass. Happily it seems to be one of the more visitor friendly colleges in Cambridge having always found it possible to wander around freely whilst somehow avoiding the crowds of tourists that certain other Cambridge colleges attract.
For more background information see the article below:-