Tag Archives: St. Hilda’s College Chapel

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Vanishing History – St. Hilda’s College Chapel

A visit to St. Hilda’s College Chapel became more urgent than was expected on hearing of its planned demolition within weeks.  It was relieving to discover that there were only two stained glass windows (six lights) within the chapel, eased further by being granted open access to photograph them.  Weather conditions today were perfect: bright, but over cast, the windows were clean and at head height.  This had the makings of a straightforward, yet very poignant photo shoot.  It transpired that I would be the first and last person to photograph (specifically) these windows.

At first glance all looked good and while the two windows were a little too modern in appearance for my liking, each told a clear and simple story.  My initial placement shot revealed the first difficulty:  The stained glass stood in front of much older panelled windows with the panels and window furniture clearly visible:DCP_6475 ce low res

However, head-on, the full horror story became evident…

image1 ce low resEverything could be seen through these stained glass windows.  Even shooting at f/1.2 could not mask the red Ford Focus.

Notwithstanding, I completed the capture of a full set of images, albeit rather car-oriented.  However, I have now entered into delicate negotiations with the College, in order to be granted access to the windows once they have been removed from the chapel, with the hope of photographing them clutter-free.  If my plan comes to fruition, I have only to worry about where I might place the six lights to capture them against a backlit, neutral white background.

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Hidden and Vanishing History

One of my earliest chapel visits for this research was back in May 2018.  At the time I did not go to the trouble of editing the series of 60+ images, since I was displeased with the composition, with the background being so easily visible even at f/2.0.  When given permission to take the photographs, I was advised that I would be the first person to photograph the windows.  In a perfect world I would have returned for photo shoot at a later date, armed with a large sheet to mask the exterior.  However, just two weeks after my visit the chapel was demolished… I was the first, last and only person to photograph the windows.

I have now edited the images, but although there is a striking elegance and simplicity to the six lights, I have no plans to print these because of the detraction of the cars.  This is not beyond the possibilities of image editing, but it would be many tens of hours of work – time that I simple do not have at the moment.

St Hilda's - Window 01 (low res)

Dominic Price (2018) The Crucifixion, St Hilda’s College Chapel, Oxford

St Hilda's - Window 02 (low res)

Dominic Price (2018) The Temptation of Man, St Hilda’s College Chapel, Oxford

When the extensive building works are complete, there will be a new chapel at St. Hilda’s College, located within the new Boundary Building.  I will make a point of enquiring about stained glass within the new building – these may be being rehoused, or perhaps something new is being commissioned?

Somerville PNG (low res)

Dominic Price (2018) Learning & Truth [Reginald Bell, 1935 – Somerville College Chapel, Oxford]

This notion of vanishing history is one that has been a backbone to my work.  The demolition of chapels is not (currently) commonplace in Oxford, yet for buildings whose intention is always to welcome people, there is a pervading sense of vanishing history albeit to a lesser degree, with some chapels being more hidden than was once the case, thanks to declining congregations.

Focussing specifically on my research, the stained glass within places of worship can cause problems:  On my planning visit to Somerville College Chapel (also in May 2018) I was confronted by an unexpected juxtaposition of huge window depicting Christ, within a nondenominational chapel.  Further information about the window can be found in my original post HERE.  At the time I was advised that some groups using the location had objected to the depiction of Christ and as a result the possibility of concealing it behind curtains was being considered.

I was minded of this just last week when carrying out a tentative visit to a very local chapel that has been undergoing restoration and improvement works for the past six months.  The home of the Summertown United Reformed Church is an attractive chapel that features a stained glass east window clearly visible from my house.  For a Presbyterian church, the inclusion of stained glass is unusual, so it was of little surprise on entering the building to discover that the east window is covered by an enormous curtain.  The Minister commented that the windows had caused objections and upset in the past.

I am yet to see the window as my unplanned visit coincided with a snagging meeting between the Minister, architect and the foreman.  However, I am intrigued as to what would have caused offence and also wonder why this chapel, purpose-built in 1893 would have featured a stained glass window in the first place.  Sadly, such history may have been lost to time.

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St Hilda’s College Chapel

This was the very first chapel I visited for this research project, back in May 2018.  Named after the Anglo-Saxon Saint, Hilda of Whitby, St Hilda’s College was founded in 1893 as a hall for women; remaining an all-women’s college until 2008.  When it first moved into to Cowley House, the billiard room on the top floor was fitted out as a Chapel.  By 1969 this had been repurposed and a smaller College Chapel was developed within the Milham Ford building in Michaelmas Term 1969.  This building was demolished in 2018 to make way for new developments and I was fortunate enough to gain access just days before that.

The chapel contained two windows each comprised of three stained glass lights.  Sadly the nature of the installation was such that the view beyond was clearly visible despite the use of a very smaller aperture to reduce the depth of field.  Each light was photographed independently then reassembled into the two complete windows.

I was very unhappy with the original edit of the six lights, because the design, while simple, was masked by the bright colours in the background.  My most recent edit, while not a truly accurate representation of the stained glass, does give a better idea of the content without other distractions.

Changes to The Crucifixion window are the most dramatic of the two, but still remain pleasingly faithful to the original, allowing the observer to appreciate the design and artwork without too many detractions:

St Hilda's - Window 01 (low res)

Dominic Price (2018) The Crucifixion [Artist unknown, date unknown – St Hilda’s College Chapel]

615 Windows 01 e

Dominic Price (2019) The Crucifixion, 2019 edit [Artist unknown, date unknown – St Hilda’s College Chapel]

The Temptation of Man window was less cluttered by the miscellany of modern life.  However, it too benefitted from similar treatment:

St Hilda's - Window 02 (low res)

Dominic Price (2018) The Temptation of Man [Artist unknown, date unknown – St Hilda’s College Chapel]

615 Window 02 e2

Dominic Price (2019) The Temptation of Man, 2019 edit [Artist unknown, date unknown – St Hilda’s College Chapel]

My research focusses unashamedly on the stained glass, not on the clutter that lies beyond.  I will allow other contemporary photographers to portray the detractions from stained glass – it has always been my intention to reproduce the stained glass in isolation in order that it can be best appreciated.  I do not like having to apply largescale alterations to these images and try to avoid more post production than is necessary, but in reality this is not much of a step beyond the removal of occasional protective wire or indeed the removal of tie bars.

St Hilda’s College intends there to be a new College Chapel located in the Boundary Building, once construction is complete.  I am hoping to hear news of the design in due course.