Our Chapel

The College site has been a place of worship since the 1230s, when the Dominicans established a friary here. When Emmanuel College was founded, the former Dominicans’ church was made into a dining hall. A nearby room was fitted up to serve as the college chapel. When the current chapel, designed by Christopher Wren, was consecrated in 1677, the original chapel became the college library. Services are held regularly during term time, and all members of the college community and visitors are very welcome.

The Chapel stands in the centre of the College as an encouragement to wonder and reflection

Our Choir

Known for its warmth and openness, our (auditioned) choir sings a varied and interesting repertoire to a high standard. The weekly schedule is arranged around the two main sung services, each preceded by a rehearsal. There is a weekly rehearsal on Tuesday. Members of the Choir also sing a number of times each term at Compline on Wednesday. The Choir enjoy a tradition of dining together in Hall after Evensong on Sundays. Some college occasions are marked with special services during the year, and in the vacations the choir regularly undertake UK and international tours.

Can I join the Choir as a Choral Scholar?
Can I join without a Choral Scholarship?

Chapel services

Services in the Chapel are open to all, and we offer the space for candlelit yoga, concerts and other activities for the whole college community.

During Term, the pattern of services is:

Sunday at 1800: Choral Evensong
- The College Choir sings and there is a sermon to encourage thoughtful reflection on issues of faith and life.
Monday to Friday at 0830: Morning Prayer
- A short service of prayers, psalms and readings to begin the day.
Wednesday at 2100: Compline
- An atmospheric candlelit service for late evening.
Thursday at 1800: Sung Eucharist
- In bread and wine, we remember the death and resurrection of Jesus.

Our organ

The organ is regarded as one of the finest chapel organs in Cambridge. It was completely rebuilt in 1988. It combines a balanced, well–blended sound with a sensitive mechanical action: 34 stops, a piston capture system and sequencer.

The Chapel Windows

The present stained glass windows were completed in 1884, as part of the commemoration of 300 years of the College, replacing the original windows, which would have been plain. The scheme is intended to illustrate the breadth of Christian thinking from the third century onwards, with particular attention given to the contributions of members of Emmanuel.

The College Prayer

This prayer is said every Sunday at the end of Evensong:

Most loving God, father of our Lord Jesus Christ, whose birth transformed our humanity, look graciously upon this college of Emmanuel, God with us, and grant that the power of his divinity may here transfigure knowledge into wisdom and achievement into service, for the sake of him who laid down his life, the same Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.