Lancaster University Chaplaincy Centre
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Lancaster University Chaplaincy Centre, on the campus of Lancaster University in the United Kingdom brings together the many faith groups represented on the campus and in the wider community.
History
When the university was being designed, the architect Gabriel Epstein suggested a site to the north-west of Alexandra Square for a chapel, potentially linked to University House.<ref name=":3">Template:Cite book</ref> The Anglican Bishop of Blackburn, the Roman Catholic Bishop of Lancaster, and the Rev. G. A. Maland (representing the free churches) held discussions together and agreed to retain the Preston-based firm Cassidy & Ashton, who specialised in religious buildings, as architects.<ref name=":3" /><ref name=":4">Twentieth Century Society</ref><ref name="proctor">Building the Modern Church: Roman Catholic Church Architecture in Britain, 1955−1975, by Robert Proctor</ref> Later, these churches were joined by the Jewish community, and the University Grants Committee agreed to help with the cost of fees and fittings for the social areas.<ref name=":3" />
Built in 1968−1969,<ref name=":4" /><ref name="proctor" /> the Chaplaincy Centre consists of three circular lobes with a three pronged spire, intended to embody an aspirational ecumenical spirit and representing the coming together of the three Christian denominations of Anglicanism, Catholicism and Nonconformism.<ref name="proctor" /><ref name=":0">Template:Cite book</ref> The Chaplaincy Centre's spire was the basis of the university's 1989 logo,<ref>Lancaster University website</ref> introduced in the university's silver jubilee.
Similar facilities exist at the universities of Dundee and Bath. However, very few universities in the United Kingdom have such purpose built facilities. Lancaster was the first such joint centre in the United Kingdom.<ref>"A brief history of the University of Lancaster", by Daniel Snape, SCAN, 1 July 2014</ref>
Interior details
At the insistence of the Catholic Diocese of Lancaster, the Catholic chapel is separate to the chapel shared by Anglican and Free Church Christians, but moveable screens mean that both chapels can open up into the concourse for shared activities such as carol services.<ref name=":0" /> A portable organ, with one manual and four stops, was installed in 1983, and can be moved for use in either chapel or the concourse.<ref name=":1">Template:Cite web</ref> Each chapel seats about 220 people.<ref name=":1" />
The Anglican/Free Church chapel is decorated with a wooden sculpture behind the communion table, entitled "The Battle". Constructed by local artist, Jan Thorn, it is reminiscent of a crown of thorns.<ref name=":1" /> The wall behind the Catholic alter is decorated with a fresco-secco depicting the Transfiguration of Jesus, which was painted over 12 days in 2017 by the Eastern Orthodox iconographer Aidan Hart.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
Usage
The centre also includes a Buddhist Meditation Room<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> and a Quiet Room used by Quakers.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> The centre hosts weekly Mindfulness sessions<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> and serves as a meeting place for the Lancaster Jewish Society every Shabbat.<ref name=":2">Template:Cite web</ref> Opposite the Chaplaincy Centre in Ash House are the university's Islamic prayer rooms.<ref name=":2" />
The centre is also used as a polling station for local and national elections.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>