The Chapel
Welcome to the Damon Wells Chapel
Come into Chapel Quad and the large building on your left is the Damon Wells Chapel – plain and classical in appearance ornate and elaborate inside. It is unlocked in daylight hours – drop in and see. All are welcome to use the Chapel – for reflection, prayer or practicing music. The Chapel is named after a benefactor who has made the life and ministry of the Chapel a central concern. The Chapel was restored in large part through his generosity and he has been supportive of the musical advances we have enjoyed in recent years.
The Life of the Chapel
College Services
On Sundays the main College service of the week takes place at 5.30pm. After this, all are invited to drinks in the Senior Common Room to meet and talk with the preacher, before the opportunity to eat together, usually with the preacher and the chaplain. For further details, see Chapel Services. Worship is as inclusive as possible– members of the Choir and speakers come from different world religions and none, people are welcome regardless of their faith perspectives. The style is open Anglican: there are two weekly celebrations of Holy Communion; usually a Catholic Mass once a term, and non-Conformist celebrations regularly. The Christian Union pray regularly in Chapel, for further details see the Chaplain or the Chapel Notice Board in the Porters’ Lodge.
Organ, Choir and Music
There are regular concerts and weekly music recitals of various styles of music. There is an impressive Létourneau organ, and a piano has recently been moved into Chapel.
There are to be two organ scholars at any time from this year – a senior and a junior [or assistant]. Interviews for this post take place in September – details are here.
The Choir has grown in numbers and quality over recent years. In September 2007 the Choir visited Tallinn in Estonia to give four performances and returned to sing for the Chancellor at his Court of Benefactors. The Organ Scholar works closely with the Chaplain, his or her assistant and Choral Scholars to ensure that the choir is well-rehearsed.
If you would like to be in the Choir – please contact the Senior Organ Scholar to arrange a chat and a trial with him. The Choir sings every Sunday in full term and on other occasions in Chapel and in the wider college.
Counsel, Spirituality and the Chaplain
The Chaplaincy offers space, a chance to talk and to listen without prejudice or judgement and an emphasis on spiritual values in this academic community. The Chaplain is the Revd Dr Andrew Teal, whose room is at the foot of staircase 10, who will be happy to spend time with you at any time. He is happy to talk about faith and theology, but the most important thing is that you set the agenda for any conversation you have – which is kept confidential unless you agree otherwise. You can email him andrew.teal@pmb.ox.ac.uk, phone him in college on [2]86276, at home on Oxford 760067 or text or phone on his mobile on 0759 500 3189. Please contact him at any time in case of an emergency. He is in college on Mondays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, Fridays and Sunday afternoon and evenings in full term time.