KEELE UNIVERSITY has put out an announcement to mark 60 years since its chapel — which it describes as “the primary religious constructing within the country designed specifically for shared Christian worship” — was dedicated within the presence of the Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother and Princess Margaret.
In its statement released on Monday, the university said that this was “a proud milestone”. Its chapel stays an area ecumenical partnership (LEP), involving the Church of England and the Roman Catholic, Methodist, Baptist and United Reformed Churches.
The chapel also hosts multi-faith events annually, including the Langar and Grand Iftar, which is overseen by the full-time chaplaincy team.
“The chapel is open all week as a peaceful place to pause. Students often come for quiet prayer, to light a candle, or just to share tea and occasional — it’s turn out to be an actual home away from home for a whole lot of them,” the lay Catholic Chaplain, Niall Hammond, said.
The chapel spans 136 feet and features greater than 300 windows. It was designated a Grade II listed constructing in 1998.
It hosts two smaller side chapels, for Roman Catholic and Free Church services, respectively. Set at 45° angles and divided by a 6.5-tonne retractable soundproof screen, the side chapels allow for simultaneous services.
Construction began in 1959 and continued until 1965. The chapel was designed by the architect George Pace, who followed a 13-point statement guiding the architecture, developed by representatives on the World Council of Churches.
The total cost of the constructing got here to £111,000, comparable to roughly £1.9 million today. It included £20,000 from the Anglican, Roman Catholic, and Free Churches, after which 2000 smaller donations from other organisations, local businesses, and individuals.
The historian John Kolbert, in his account of the appeal, said that the chapel “could never have been built had it not been for the strenuous efforts of the Principals and Appeal Committee, the support of all denominations, and the generosity of local industry and donors”.
