Attending Chapel Services
We are delighted to welcome back guests to join us for choral services at King's College Chapel. This term we are operating a booking system to ensure our capacity is not exceeded, and all who are wishing to attend a service must book a place. We regret that we are unable to admit any guest who has not booked in advance. For details of how to book, please see below.
A very wide range of people come to services: some are local and attend regularly, and most days there are many who are visiting us from afar, and who will only ever be here once. Some are devout Christians, some members of others faiths, some agnostic and some atheists. All are welcome. None is coerced to joining in with anything they find uncomfortable, but we do ask people to sit and stand together as far as physical constraints allow, to stay for the whole service and to respect the needs to those who are worshipping.
The Reverend Dr Stephen Cherry
Dean of Chapel
Places can be booked online or in person at the King's College Visitor Centre on King's Parade between specific times. All places are subject to availability, and we therefore recommend booking online.
| Event | Booking Online | Booking In Person |
|---|---|---|
| Weeknight and Saturday Evensong at 5:30pm | Booking window is from midday the day before the service, until 3:30pm the day of the service. Book online |
Booking period is on the day only, until 3:30pm. |
| Sunday Holy Eucharist at 10:30am | Booking window is from midday the day before the service, until 9:00am the day of the service. Book online |
Booking period is on the day before the service, until 3:30pm. |
| Sunday Evensong at 3:30pm | Booking window is from midday the day before the service, until 2:00pm the day of the service. Book online |
Booking period is on the day only, until 2:00pm. |
- If you experience any Coronavirus symptoms please join us at a later date.
- Please wear a face covering.
- Our services last about an hour. Please commit to attending for the whole service when you book. There is no convenient opportunity to leave once it has started.
- Photography, videography and audio recording are strictly forbidden during the service.
- We regret that we cannot offer toilet facilities in College.
- Donations are welcome, and go towards the upkeep of the Chapel and support of the Choir.
- If you would be kind enough to have a lateral flow test before coming we would be grateful.
- While we are limiting the numbers in Chapel we will not be keeping people one metre apart when seated. Only attend if you are comfortable with what we can offer.
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Do not bring any bag, rucksack or suitcase that is larger than airline hand-baggage size.
- Please be positive towards our staff on duty inside and outside the Chapel. We will do all we can to ensure you have a safe and meaningful experience.
Please arrive in plenty of time before the service. Late entry will not be permitted.
Our primary concern as a College is for the health and safety of those who attend services, and that we conduct services in ways that are appropriately dignified, so that people who attend can have some time out from the pressures of everyday life, and engage in the worship of God and the appreciation of the building and music in an unhurried way that brings them personal peace and refreshment. We understand that some people who wish to share in our services will have special needs, and while we will always do everything possible to help all those who present themselves for services, we warmly invite those who have special needs to be in touch with us in advance, so that we can do all we can to prepare for their visit.
We warmly welcome all who wish to attend our services, but recognise that they do so as our guests. We therefore work hard to ensure that people who come have the information they need to form appropriate expectations of what we are doing and are able to follow what is happening. Such explanation is needed as what we do here does not always conform to the model of a parish church — or even a cathedral.
We recognise that a very wide range of people come to services; some are local and attend regularly, and most days there are many who are visiting us from afar, and who will only ever be here once — though perhaps they are familiar with what we do from webcasts, broadcasts and recordings. Some are devout Christians, some members of others faiths, some agnostic and some atheists. All are welcome. None is coerced to joining in anything they find uncomfortable, but we do ask people to sit and stand together as far as physical constraints allow, to stay for the whole service, and to respect the needs to those who are worshipping.
We understand that some people who wish to share in our services will have special needs, and, while we will always do everything possible to help all those who present themselves for services, we warmly invite those who have, or intend to bring, people with special needs to be in touch with us in advance, so that we can do all we can to prepare for their visit.
In Chapel we are using a lectionary devised specifically for our needs; this is because the existing lectionaries provided by the Church of England do not always suit our particular circumstances. Plainsong is often sung at services here — often in Latin: especially at Sung Eucharists and when only the choral scholars sing. In particular, the Introit, Alleluia and Communion are usually sung to plainsong from the Graduale Romanum and also, occasionally, the Ordinary parts of the Mass.
Chapel Collections
Twenty percent of all donations received in collections is given to charities as determined by the College’s Charitable Donations Committee.
In the past, grants have been allocated to a wide range of charitable causes, most of which are based in Cambridge, but whose reach are variously local, national or international. In many cases they are charities with which Members of College have an association.
Most recently, recipients of grants have included: Arthur Rank Hospice Charity, Break, Cambridge City Foodbank, Cambridge Cyrenians, Cambridge Rape Crisis Centre, Student Action for Refugees, Castle School, Domestic Violence UK, Home-Start Cambridgeshire, Karuna Trust, Lifecraft, Mary’s Meals, Rare Charity, Addenbrooke’s Charitable Trust, Saakshar School Appeal, Tibet Relief Fund, Tom’s Trust, and Cambridge Women’s Aid.
King’s College is a registered charity, and the generosity of donors around the world supports our teaching, research and buildings, as well as the activities of our Chapel and Choir. To discover more about the £100m King’s Campaign, and how you can help, please visit kings.cam.ac.uk/campaign
