Help us keep the Borlase Chapel open to all.

Since it was built in 1914, funded by Old Borlasians, the school Chapel has brought the Borlase community together for services and assemblies.  Until the beginning of this year, the Chapel has hosted Chapel assemblies for each of the different Houses with an address and hymn accompanied by Mr Robson on the organ.  The site of the school’s War Memorial and Book of Remembrance, it also plays host to the annual Remembrance Service and also the incredibly moving Leavers’ Service when the school song is belted out by teary-eyed Year 13s at a volume you would not believe.

However, in December 2024, a routine fire inspection determined that until a second fire door is added the maximum occupancy of the Chapel is just 60 people and not the 220 needed to accommodate a whole House.  Undeterred, since January we have persevered determinedly with 2 of the 8 Form groups in each House coming to the Chapel on a rotation with the assembly beamed to the others back in their Form Rooms around the school.  It’s not the same but it’s the best we can manage.

This is where we are appealing for your help.

For a cost of approximately £30,000, we can add a door of the required width on the west wall of the quire, re-positioning the war memorial in the apse, adjacent to the altar.  Tony Compton (OB 1957-1964)  is drawing up the architectural plans in keeping with the school’s listed building status.  Skilled builders, joiners and French polishers will ensure the work is completed sympathetically and seamlessly including adjustment and addition to the pews to increase the seating capacity.

While memories of being able to see your breath while singing hymns on a cold morning may be a thing of the past with under-seat heating having been installed a few years ago, we don’t want memories of the Chapel, one of Borlase’s many characterful idiosyncrasies, to become a thing of the past too.

• £16,000 will pay for the doorway, brickwork and relocation of the War Memorial
• £6,000 will pay for the reconfiguration of the wooden pews to increase the seating capacity
• £8,000 will pay for the landscaping and fencing so that the fire escape exits onto school property

If you would like to donate towards the Chapel Door please find more details below: