Foreword by the Archbishop of Canterbury

A school chapel should be far more than just a place where students ‘go to church’, learn hymns, listen (or pretend to listen!) to sermons.  It is a place where students can begin to understand the largeness of the world that the human spirit and imagination inhabit – a place for the great ‘excess’ of words and images, going far beyond what seems immediately useful or necessary, that is built in to the practices of faith and worship.

We all need to be reminded that the world is more than a stage set for our private plans and dramas.  It opens out on to a greater horizon, where our minds are stretched and changed by the abundance and the mystery around every corner of the things that we can see.  For some people, it is music that brings this recognition – many have discovered something fresh and profound about the world by singing in a chapel choir or learning the organ.  For others, this comes through the mysteriousness of ancient words crafted to express veneration and delight.  But the visual arts have always had their place as well, and this particular school chapel has a wonderful and unusual variety of striking pieces to hold the eyes and feed the mind.

Peter Ball’s sculptures have made a very distinctive contribution to modern religious art: with their combination of severe lines and richly complex texture, they have something of the quality of three-dimensional icons. Otto Maciag’s ceramic murals, based on a drawing by Adam Kossowski, have likewise been a significant translation of traditional motifs and styles into a new and thoroughly contemporary medium.  And now Dee Hardwicke’s magnificent mosaic joins the ensemble, with its subtly textured surface and sweep of luminous colours to provide what feels almost like another window in the building – a window on to the life of Wales’ greatest saint and on to a landscape illuminated by his memory.

Monmouth School is well blessed with these treasures, and I hope that they will go on opening the eyes and hearts of the generations of young people who will meet and reflect and pray in their presence.  May God bless all that happens in this holy space; may all sorts of people, young and not so young, find themselves at home here with him as their imaginations are enlarged, enriched and challenged.

+ Rowan, Archbishop of Canterbury

Lambeth Palace St Augustine of Canterbury

Visit of Archbishop Rowan

Monmouth School was delighted to welcome the Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr Rowan Williams, to the School on Tuesday 11th March 2008 for the official dedication of a new mosaic.

The Archbishop of Canterbury blessed the new mosaic of St David in the three lights of a former window in Monmouth School Chapel. The mosaic has been designed, created and installed by local artist, Dee Hardwicke, who is a fine art ceramicist specialising in richlycoloured and beautifully intricate bespoke tiles and mosaic pieces. Dee said:

“I would just like to thank the Chaplain Rev Gavin Knight, Monmouth School and its Governors for the opportunity to work on this amazing project. The mosaic started off as bags of terracotta clay and raw pigment. Each tiny piece of tile was cut and glazed by hand. The mosaic took 18 months to make and during that time the School was incredibly supportive. I would also like to thank the Archbishop of Canterbury for coming to bless the mosaic which means so much to all of us.”

The Triptych is dedicated to the parents of Old Monmothians as a tribute to their care, discipline and blessing. The mosaic features Dewi Sant the Patron Saint of Wales, surrounded by the local hills of the Sugar Loaf and the Skirrid, with a stream of water, sporting 12 fish running through the landscape. The Headmaster, Dr Steven Connors, took the opportunity to thank all those who had contributed so generously to the project; a large part of the cost had been met by the Old Monmothians, the Haberdashers’ Company, Friends of Monmouth School and private donations.

Reverend Gavin Knight, Chaplain at Monmouth School (2005-2011), said:

“We are delighted Dr Rowan Williams, the Archbishop of Canterbury, accepted our invitation to bless our new Chapel mosaic. The Archbishop has always been supportive of the arts and we were keen to welcome him back to his native Wales. As Bishop of Monmouth and Archbishop of Wales, Dr Williams was a friend to both Monmouth School and Haberdashers’ Monmouth School for Girls; confirming our pupils, ordaining the girls’ school Chaplain and inspiring staff and pupils alike.”

After the service, The Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr Rowan Williams, said:

“It is lovely to be back in the School to see old friends and new. I would like to wish all the schools represented here and the community every blessing. Renewed thanks to them for all they did for me during my ten years here as Bishop and continue to give to me through their friendship, prayers and support.”