Preserving the Chapel

King's College Chapel is the most famous and recognisable building in Cambridge, and is of national and international significance. A uniquely inspiring setting for daily worship, it is also the home of one of the world's most renowned and best-loved choirs, whose distinctive sound is shaped by the Chapel’s unique acoustics and organ.

The Chapel dates back to 1446, and possesses the largest fan vaulted stone ceiling in the world, unique intricate carvings, an impressive screen and some of the most exquisite medieval painted and stained glass windows surviving in the country.

There is an ongoing programme of conservation and maintenance, as well as larger scale needs that are identified in regular conservation management reports. While the main structure of the Chapel is sound, there are cleaning and repairs necessary to the interior and exterior stone and woodwork, and to the medieval stained glass. In 2023 the College completed work on a year-long conservation of the Chapel roof, and was able during this process to install photovoltaic (PV) panels as part of the College’s strategy to decarbonise its operations by 2038.

A gift to the Chapel Foundation Fund helps us to maintain the daily life of the Chapel, conserve and repair its fabric, glass, organ and furnishings and preserve and protect this extraordinary building for generations to come.

We are in the presence of something magical, something sublime
George Santayana (KC 1896)

rs3767_kcc_choir_w8a6097-lpr_square

Choir and Music

The music of King’s College Chapel is as well-known as the building itself, and depends...
_mg_0626_tile

Director of Music Fund

To commemorate legacy of Sir Stephen Cleobury, who served as an exceptional Director of Music...
kc2_nik4260_full

Library and Archives

The King's College Library has been in continuous existence since the foundation of the College...
kingscrop_lr

The Gibbs Building

The iconic Gibbs Building at the heart of the College is the second oldest building...

Members and Friends News

kate_whitley

King's alumna premières new composition

A composition by King's alumna Kate Whitley (KC 2007) was premièred in Trafalgar Square on...

saumarez_smith_c_0

Queen's Birthday Honours for King's Graduates

Among those recognised are King's alumni Charles Saumarez Smith, Thomas Adès, Alison Davenport, Susanna Eastburn...

Follow us on Instagram

View more