24202
The Grade I Listed Chapel at the Bishop's Palace, in Wells, Somerset.
This simple, graceful building is dedicated to the Holy Trinity and St. Mark. The unusual dedication is depicted in the modern icon by Silvia Dimitrova which stands to the side of the altar. Built by Bishop Robert Burnell at around the same time as the adjoining Great Hall in the late-thirteenth century, the windows are surprisingly large for the period and the tracery in them is an exceptionally fine example of the Early English style. The roof bosses are of naturalistic foliage and bizarre animals painted in traditional medieval colours.
The Chapel was restored by Bishop George Henry Law in the nineteenth century. In the windows he used fragments of French medieval glass from churches in the Rouen area, which were destroyed in the revolutionary era.
The pews are early-twentieth century and were carved by apprentice craftsmen from around the diocese. A keen eye can spot the names of their parishes carved into the woodwork.
The Chapel was re-ordered in 2006. The new altar, made of maple and Ancaster stone, was designed by David John and made by Richard Richardson. The altar stands above engraved stone work by John Rowlands Pritchard, with the text, ‘God was in Christ reconciling the world to himself; and has given us the ministry of reconciliation’. (2 Corinthians 5:18).
24202
The Grade I Listed Chapel at the Bishop's Palace, in Wells, Somerset.
This simple, graceful building is dedicated to the Holy Trinity and St. Mark. The unusual dedication is depicted in the modern icon by Silvia Dimitrova which stands to the side of the altar. Built by Bishop Robert Burnell at around the same time as the adjoining Great Hall in the late-thirteenth century, the windows are surprisingly large for the period and the tracery in them is an exceptionally fine example of the Early English style. The roof bosses are of naturalistic foliage and bizarre animals painted in traditional medieval colours.
The Chapel was restored by Bishop George Henry Law in the nineteenth century. In the windows he used fragments of French medieval glass from churches in the Rouen area, which were destroyed in the revolutionary era.
The pews are early-twentieth century and were carved by apprentice craftsmen from around the diocese. A keen eye can spot the names of their parishes carved into the woodwork.
The Chapel was re-ordered in 2006. The new altar, made of maple and Ancaster stone, was designed by David John and made by Richard Richardson. The altar stands above engraved stone work by John Rowlands Pritchard, with the text, ‘God was in Christ reconciling the world to himself; and has given us the ministry of reconciliation’. (2 Corinthians 5:18).