Welcome to the University of King’s College Chapel! The Chapel is always accessible to you, and you are always welcome to this space regardless of your religious belief or affiliation; whether you be Atheist, Jewish, Humanist, Muslim, Christian, Neo-Pagan, Buddhist, Zoroastrian ... or just you! Your studies and your friendships will challenge you, both to enter more deeply into your own tradition, and to gain a new respect for the spiritual traditions of others. The Chapel is yours for the taking. It exists as a space for us to be challenged, a space for us to recollect. All activities are student-run; from worship to music-making to advocacy and outreach in the city of Halifax.
We — Earl Gertler, Iona Taylor, Steven Edwards, and Jesse Korner — are the Chapel Wardens. We are part of the student leadership team who work closely with the Chaplain, Father Ingalls, and help nurture connections to the whole campus and the city. Get in touch whenever or say ‘hello’ if you see us around. Your University Chaplain is available to all students to encourage, advise, counsel, and offer support in your academic, social, and personal life at King’s. The Chaplain’s office is on the main floor of the Arts & Administration Building – stop by and meet Father Ingalls (and his corgi, Finnegan!) anytime.
Both the King’s Chapel Choir and the King’s Chorus make their home in the Chapel. Beautiful music combines with ancient liturgy in the spirit of FYP’s exploration of the strange and even off-putting roots of so much that we take for granted in the modern world. The Chapel Choir sings every Wednesday and Thursday at 5pm, and you will also hear them singing grace at College Formal Meals; Compline is sung on Monday evening at 9.30pm by a smaller group of singers, and the King’s Chorus rehearses weekly and sings one concert each term. New choir members are welcome in our choral groups at any time. For info on joining, see kingschapel.ca/music
Hearing the chapel bells three times each day is part of the King’s experience. These bells indicate that some type of prayer is being offered in the Chapel. For two hours (specifically) each day (7-8am, and 10-11pm) the Chapel space is reserved as a quiet space: available for individual meditation, solitude, and quiet reflection. No one will bother you. Hardly anyone will see you. There are also many times throughout the day, in between services/events, when the Chapel is empty or almost so. Most days of the week the Chapel holds student-run services. On Wednesday at 5pm the Chapel hosts a sung prayer service called Evensong, where you can hear our incredible Chapel Choir. On Thursdays at 5pm we hold a choral mass service, where you can experience the Holy Mysteries following the traditional Anglican liturgy. Compline, a meditative, candlelit service inspired by the monastic traditions, is sung on Mondays at 9:30pm. Everyone is always welcome at every service: you can find the full schedule with all our daily prayer posted outside the Chapel doors.
In addition to regular prayer services, the Chapel has been known to organize hikes, host open mics, concerts, vigils, and lectures, and organize volunteer opportunities — keep an eye out for posters and FYP announcements! Each term, the Chapel organizes a three-day retreat in [near] Kejimkujik National Park. These are opportunities for students to gather in community to experience nature in Mi’kma’ki [“Nova Scotia”] back-country. You may choose to hike, canoe, snowshoe, paint, write, or just take a break from your studies. Chapel Retreats are centered around shared meals, discussion, prayer, and several addresses from a guest poet or scholar.
Welcome to King’s! We cannot wait to meet you at the Chapel!
Best,
Earl, Iona, Steven, and Jesse