Kings College Chapel is located in London on the Strand, it’s open to everyone and not very well known. Built in 1864 by the famous neo-gothic architect George Gilbert Scott who was also responsible for St Pancras station and hotel, the Albert Memorial among many things.
King’s College University was founded in 1829 by King George IV and the Duke of Wellington. The original building also included a chapel for praying but it was deemed too humble and was decided to build a new one. Gilbert Scott practically had to insert this chapel into an existing building, not an easy task.
Photo: © Copyright John Salmon and licensed for reuse under this Creative Commons Licence.
The chapel is extremely opulent with a lot of use of red and gold colors, it has also been recently restored and you will see it at its best. Also take a look at the organ which dates back to around 1860 and produced by the Messrs Wills company. In the 1930s the organ was in poor condition and was repaired by Mr. Wills’ nephew who had built it 70 years earlier. In the 1970s it was completely renovated again, so what you see now is an organ that is over 150 years old.
Here you can see a 360 degree virtual version. There are regular religious rites in the chapel that are open to all, the chapel only works during the academic year. The chapel is located on the first floor of the Kings building directly above the Great Hall.
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