KEELE UNIVERSITY has put out a statement to mark 60 years since its chapel — which it describes as “the first religious building in the country designed specifically for shared Christian worship” — was dedicated in 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 remains a local 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 simply to share tea and coffee — it’s become a real home away from home for a lot of them,” the lay Catholic Chaplain, Niall Hammond, said.
The chapel spans 136 feet and features more than 300 windows. It was designated a Grade II listed building 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 at the World Council of Churches.
The total cost of the building came to £111,000, equivalent to roughly £1.9 million today. It included £20,000 from the Anglican, Roman Catholic, and Free Churches, and then 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”.
