On Wednesday 1st May, we celebrated the bicentenary of the Old Chapel, alongside Old Gregorians, past and current parents, staff members, servers and choir.
Fr Michael presided at the beautiful Mass, joined by Upper Sixth pupil Joszko who served, and the Mixed Chamber Choir, conducted by Mr McNamara. During the Homily, Fr Michael celebrated the gift and history of the Old Chapel, officially known as St Gregory’s College Chapel. The chapel served as a place of worship for the monks for 59 years from 1823 until 1882, when the basilica’s original high altar was ready, now St Oliver’s Chapel. You can read the whole Homily by clicking the link below:
Throughout the Mass, the readings, prayers and music resonated with those that might have filled the Old Chapel when at its opening. The Mixed Chamber Choir delivered a beautiful rendition of Bruckner’s Locus Iste during Holy Communion:
Locus iste a Deo factus est,
inaestimabile sacramentum,
irreprehensibilis est.
This place was made by God,
a priceless mystery;
it is without reproof.
After the Mass, guests were invited to explore the chapel and view posters retrieved by Fr Michael. These included the ‘flyer’ for the chapel’s opening with Mazzinghi’s Mass (1823). Choristers from Wells Cathedral came to assist with the Mass as an early sign of ecumenism – the poster is below.
We concluded with a delicious afternoon tea in the Aylward Room (previously known as the Old Infirmary).
Thank you to all who joined us to mark this special occasion.
