Page 34 - The Gonzaga Record 1985
P. 34
walls and copper roof merged very successfully with the magnificent front entrance
of the Hall. The graceful tower over the Hall vestibule was near enough to form a
unity with the new Chapel. The sculptor Mr Michael Biggs was commissioned to
do the altar, the ambo, and the tabernacle pillar. He carved them from limestone
which was then polished. This resulted in a dark surface which gave great contrast
with eucharistic symbols of fish and bread carved on the lower, lighter limestone
beneath. The tabernacle itself, the cross over the altar, and the sanctuary lamp
holder were wrought in beaten silver by Brother Benedict Tutty ofGlenstal Abbey.
The stained glass window at the apex of the triangular building was the work of
Mrs Prances Biggs. It was the gift of the architect, Mr Andrew Devane to the
Chapel. It would not be out of place to jump ahead and tell the story of the school
Chapel to its present-day form.
It had always been the intention of the architect that all the windows of the
Chapel should have stained glass. How desirable this would be was often
illustrated by the effects of the stained glass window in the sanctuary. In the
morning time, as the sun rises in the east its rays through the stained glass throw a
magnificent splash of colour onto the granite wall and louvres of the sanctuar~. To
attend Mass in these conditions was an artistic and a religious experience.
Inevitably it made one wonder what it would be like if all the windows were in
stained glass. As the sun moved around during the day it would come through
some windows, to end in the evening time with the setting sun shining through the
large windows over the Chapel doors.
However, desirable though this would be, and the building itself was obviously
Archbishop John Charles McQuaid blessing the new Boys' Chapel
26
of the Hall. The graceful tower over the Hall vestibule was near enough to form a
unity with the new Chapel. The sculptor Mr Michael Biggs was commissioned to
do the altar, the ambo, and the tabernacle pillar. He carved them from limestone
which was then polished. This resulted in a dark surface which gave great contrast
with eucharistic symbols of fish and bread carved on the lower, lighter limestone
beneath. The tabernacle itself, the cross over the altar, and the sanctuary lamp
holder were wrought in beaten silver by Brother Benedict Tutty ofGlenstal Abbey.
The stained glass window at the apex of the triangular building was the work of
Mrs Prances Biggs. It was the gift of the architect, Mr Andrew Devane to the
Chapel. It would not be out of place to jump ahead and tell the story of the school
Chapel to its present-day form.
It had always been the intention of the architect that all the windows of the
Chapel should have stained glass. How desirable this would be was often
illustrated by the effects of the stained glass window in the sanctuary. In the
morning time, as the sun rises in the east its rays through the stained glass throw a
magnificent splash of colour onto the granite wall and louvres of the sanctuar~. To
attend Mass in these conditions was an artistic and a religious experience.
Inevitably it made one wonder what it would be like if all the windows were in
stained glass. As the sun moved around during the day it would come through
some windows, to end in the evening time with the setting sun shining through the
large windows over the Chapel doors.
However, desirable though this would be, and the building itself was obviously
Archbishop John Charles McQuaid blessing the new Boys' Chapel
26
