Jesus College in Cambridge might not be the oldest of the city’s colleges, but its chapel is the oldest of all. Initially, the building was the monastic church of St Mary & St Radegund, which was founded in 1157 as a convent of nuns. When the convent was dissolved in 1496, Bishop John Alcock founded the current college on the same site, adapting the convent church as the college chapel. This involved several structural modifications, including the demolition of most of the nave. Nevertheless, the building still looks different from other college chapels, which emphasises its former monastic function. The nave has been reduced to the size of the transepts and many of its original elements were replaced by college buildings. The central tower had to be rebuilt after the college’s foundation.
On entering the chapel’s interior, visitors will notice the stark, white walls. However, the splashes of colour from the windows and the richly decorated ceiling, all beautiful examples of Pre-Raphaelite art by William Morris and his circle, bring back the building’s vibrancy. The chapel windows are mostly filled with a series of figures from cartoons by Burne Jones. The choir beyond is partially concealed by rich woodwork, with the chancel screen and the elaborately carved stalls retaining some notable examples of late medieval carving. The choir itself is a beautiful example of Early English architecture with slender lancet windows, the only ones not adorned with Morris & Co designs.
Jesus College Chapel is an enchanting building with beautiful glass. It’s one of the more visitor-friendly colleges in Cambridge, and it’s always possible to wander around it freely, avoiding the crowds of tourists the others tend to attract. The article provides a brief insight into the chapel and its beautiful surroundings.
Posted by Aidan McRae Thomson on 2021-08-08 15:28:50