The University's former premises on the High Street were on the site of an old Dominican monastery, known as the Black Friars, and the University used the friars' old church for services. The University subsequently relocated to Gilmorehill in 1870, although the New College was not finished for many years after, and there was at the time no chapel. The West Quadrangle of the new building was not enclosed on its west side originally; instead, staircases at either end of the court led onto The Square, where the Professors and Principal had their houses. The southern of these staircases was the Lion and Unicorn Staircase, which was relocated from its site in the Outer Court of the Old College. By 1900, the accommodation was already proving too small, and in 1914 it was decided to build a new wing enclosing the West Quadrangle, providing additional rooms and a Chapel.
Construction
was commissioned to draw up plans for the extension, and construction began in August 1914 but was halted by World War I. Work resumed in 1923 but was delayed by bad weather and economic conditions, and the buildings were not completed until 1929. The inside was fitted with wooden stalls and carvings by Archibald Dawson, and a series of ten stained glass windows, designed and made by Douglas Strachan and representing the entirety of human life as a spiritual enterprise, was installed in 1931. Amongst subsequent additions was the Benedicite Window, which is above the altar at the East end of the building. It was designed by Lawrence Lee and installed in 1962.
Dedication
After World War I, it was decided that the new chapel should be dedicated to the memory of those seven hundred and fifty-five men connected with the University who had lost their lives in the conflict. The Principal, Donald MacAlister, said: The Chapel was dedicated to their memory in a service on 4 October 1929, led by the Right Reverend John White. Tablets on the wall behind the Communion Table list the names of those who died, while other tablets besides the stalls record the 405 members of the University community who gave their lives in World War II.
Services
Daily services are held in the Chapel during term-time, as well as seasonal events. Before Christmas, there is a Service of Nine Lessons and Carols on the last Sunday of term, and a Watchnight service on Christmas Eve. Graduates, students, members of staff and the children of members of staff are entitled to be married in the Chapel, which is also used for baptisms and funerals. Civil marriages and civil partnerships may be blessed in the Chapel, although under UK law may not be performed there. The current Chaplain of the University is the Reverend Stuart MacQuarrie, and the University appoints Honorary Chaplains of other denominations.
Organ
The Chapel's organ was constructed by Henry Willis & Sons in 1927 and refurbished by Harrison & Harrison in 2005. It was a gift to the University from Joseph Paton Maclay, Lord Maclay, in memory of two of his sons, who had died in the war. The Organist is Kevin Bowyer, an acclaimed performer and prolific recorder, who is Artistic Director of the Glasgow International Organ Festival, which is held in the Chapel and has been running annually since June 2006.
Chapel Choir
The Chapel Choir sings at services and concerts every Tuesday evening at 6pm during term-time, and at other events in the Chapel, such as the Remembrance Sunday service, Service of Nine Lessons and Carols, and weddings. The Choir is composed of between twenty-eight to thirty-two singers, including students, staff and graduates, and takes SATB form. The Choir has recorded widely and completed a number of tours, including the United States, when it sang at the Sunday morning service in Saint Thomas Church on Fifth Avenue; Germany ; the Baltic states ; Tuscany ; Amsterdam ; Sweden ; and China. The Director of Chapel Music is Katy Lavinia Cooper, who was appointed in April 2015 after James Grossmith left to become chorusmaster of the Royal Swedish Opera.
