I returned to St. John’s Chapel in Chichester today especially to take some more photos of this beautiful building, as requested by Stefan. St. John’s is a rare example of a Georgian chapel which still has most of its original features. It was consecrated in 1813 as an extra place for the people of Chichester to worship as the six churches within the city walls were full to bursting. It was built as a ‘proprietary chapel’ – in other words it was outside the usual parochial system and people paid to buy or rent a pew so they could worship there. This also meant that it had a minister rather than a vicar and it could not be used for baptisms or burials. To maintain access for all, the central area was reserved for the poor of the city while the rich (who paid for their pews) had separate entrances and used the pews around the sides and in the gallery. The striking feature when you enter the chapel is its impressive three deck pulpit. The Minister would give his sermon (usually at least an hour in Georgian times) from the top deck where he could see everyone in the chapel, including those in the gallery – just to make sure no one fell asleep no doubt! I have played from the top deck and can confirm that it is not suitable for anyone who suffers from vertigo!

I spent about an hour in the chapel this morning and did my usual thing of looking for hidden details as well as taking the big architectural shots. Because worshippers bought or rented their pews it entitled them to customise them as they wished. This could include adding cushions for comfort (very necessary as these pews are not designed for comfort!) and I found a wooden drawer added under the seat of one pew – who knows what that was for.

St. John’s was taken out of use for worship in 1973 as a result of dwindling congregations. It stood empty for about twenty years before it started being used as a concert venue. It has a wonderfully flattering acoustic and is used every summer for the Chichester Festivities. In recent years it has had lighting and heating reinstalled and there is a current project to raise funds to restore the organ – an historically important model, originally built in 1813 by G.P.England. The aim is to have the necessary £140,000 to bring it back into playing order in time for the chapel’s bicentenary in 2013.

If you want to find out more about St. John’s the Churches Conservation Trust has a webpage for it here.

Fantastic...how unusual is that pulpit?!!! Amazing :-) ????? · 2010-07-23: 13:00

some very nice shots (angles and close ups)! matteahmb · 2010-07-23: 13:01

Very nice captures love all the angles shot mystic1 · 2010-07-23: 13:15

Magnificent at once sober church in its aspect but strewed with attractive details which you emphasized. josy63 · 2010-07-23: 13:17

one of the most unusually beautiful places I've ever seen! fantastic set my friend!!!! thanks for sharing it with us...:-) ????? · 2010-07-23: 13:37

Love the hidden details you captured! HoosierAtHeART · 2010-07-23: 14:11

very nice details MoMac · 2010-07-23: 14:21

Very interesting place. Lynda · 2010-07-23: 14:44

I see the drawer under the pew has a substantial attack of old wood worm. This is a wonderful chapel where we have heard you perform on many occasions. Having said that, your shots are beautiful. Have a good time on the NYRO course. Kay · 2010-07-23: 15:15

Beautifully captured, all of them!! ????? · 2010-07-23: 20:36

lovely details - great photography ????? · 2010-07-23: 20:46

What a nice place and very good photos. Gh · 2010-07-24: 04:27

Fantastic set, great job! wildduck · 2010-07-24: 04:29

Very beautiful! :) ????? · 2010-07-24: 04:51

Terrific documentation Latecomer · 2010-07-24: 05:36

how awesome, love all the fabulous details!! I bet the drawer was where they kept their drawing paper so they didn't go to sleep!!~ urmysunshine · 2010-07-24: 09:17

Nice captures sachiko · 2010-07-24: 09:22

wow! with your usual smart angles and focus you made this set wonderful miltonjacob · 2010-07-24: 16:07

Thank you for this post!! I love the details! Eiram · 2010-07-25: 06:08

Wonderful place, love the details and the ways you photograph them! Wasichseh · 2010-07-25: 14:58

Absolutely extraordinary! What a wonderful place this is steeped with a history that is so apart from the main stream. The structure is magnificent. Beautifully detailed presentation. ArtBee · 2010-07-28: 08:51

Again you surprise us with your wonderful close up and wide angle photographs of a beautiful place. Ryana · 2010-07-29: 07:14

Oh how sorry I am to have missed this - thanks for the prompt. It's absolutely beautiful. At least one of these has ended up in my favourites. And thanks for the history too. Fascinating, utterly fascinating. revenant · 2010-08-01: 10:30

What a marvelous post!! The lighting was superb. Your macros and the larger shots are simply gorgeous. SunflowerGirl · 2010-08-03: 23:07

Tagged: chapel church chichester stjohns architecture