CHAPEL OF UNITY

The Department's description

Exterior description and setting

Modernist chapel set within grounds of Methodist College, S Belfast and built in 1968 to designs by Gordon McKnight, following a competition to mark school’s centenary. Symmetrical building comprised of tall steeply pitched gable flanked by shallow mono-pitches with flat-roofed clasping arcades to sides; overall form reputed to emulate praying hands. Constructed in buff brick specials with eaves and verge expressed in multi-coursed corbelled brick. Smaller hipped roofed appendage to rear (SW). Entire building raised on plinth with broad steps to front (NE) and paved areas to rear retained by brick walls with ramps and steps in response to natural rise of school site. Overlooking College Gardens, gate pillars and screen walls mid-way along that street roughly align with its entrance and although not contemporary, they help to integrate it with other buildings of interest at Methodist College including HB26.28.24, 25, 26 & 27; together they form an important set-piece within the Queens Conservation Area.

Materials
ROOF: Natural slate; flat roofs not seen - raised parapet (probably sheet membrane)
RWG: Aluminium, square profile.
WALLS: Buff brick of non-standard proportions; in Flemish bond.
WINDOWS: Stained glass Dalle de Verre panels (thick glass shards set in resin-bonded concrete); and single glazed metal-framed (Crittall or similar) round-arched windows elsewhere (unless otherwise stated).

Front Elevation (NE):
Nave gable flanked by mono-pitched and flat roofs as described above. Double doors to entrance with splayed brick surround and camber-arched head; gable above slightly pointed on plan; timber crucifix mounted above entrance and bell recessed at apex; heavy fascia board in painted timber to mono-pitched roofs, with stained glass wedge between that and roof below; arcaded fenestration to flat-roofed sides, with raised parapet, splayed buttress between and splayed cills at base of each arch. Solid timber entrance doors, possibly oak, engraved with school motto ‘Deus Nobiscum’ (God with us) and ‘Quis Separabit’ (Who shall separate us), all varnish stained and having scallop-edged copper kick plates. Freestanding square plinth and copper statue to left of entrance, of children joining hands in a ring; erected by parents and dedicated ‘in memory of pupils no longer with us’.

NW Elevation
Side view of tall and shallow pitched roof forms, and arcaded openings to flat roof, five windows in total, with raised parapet continued from front (NE); arches formed in two brick header courses with splayed cills and buttresses same as front; vertical glazed slot to far right (S) side, beyond flat & mono-pitched roofs; deep timber eaves board to mono-pitched roof and clerestory windows below (largely concealed behind parapet to flat roof).
Hipped roof appendage set back with bowed casement window, single glazed and timber framed; otherwise plain.

Rear Elevation (SW):
Mirror form of front, except arcaded flat roofed abutments stop at far ends, each containing a set of round arched double doors in sheeted timber; lower hipped roof appendage at nave gable. Clipped eaves to steep pitch nave gable, upper part filled with polygonal concrete panel comprised of vertical ribs with stained glass slots between; clipped eaves to mono-pitched roofs and walling below blank. Small lean-to abutment, added later, at right side.

SE Elevation:
Mirror form of NW elevation.
Hipped roof appendage set back with two concrete steps to full height recessed opening comprised of square headed framed double doors within plain glass surround; honeycomb brick panel to right of opening.

Surrounded by paths in precast concrete slabs; wider paved areas to SW retained by brick walls with tubular metal railings, painted black; concrete ‘slab’ benches to SE side; broad entrance steps flanked by retaining walls with sloped brick recess to sides. Set between McArthur Hall (HB26.28.027) & Whitla Hall (HB26.28.123), with backdrop of modern buildings, largely open to front with sloping lawn to tree-lined College Gardens.

Historical information

The Chapel of Unity forms part of the complex of buildings making up Methodist College Belfast. The latter opened in 1868 and the former, completed in 1968, was intended to commemorate the institution’s centenary. Built as an interdenominational space - for what had by then had become a mixed-faith school - it was designed by Gordon K. McKnight, the Belfast architect who from the early 1950s, had specialised in Modern Style churches largely for the various Protestant denominations in the city and beyond. His scheme for this particular structure was chosen as a result of a limited competition.

The building was refurbished in 2004.

Other noted places of worship by McKnight include, Orangefield Presbyterian (1955-57), St Columba’s C of I, Portadown (1970), Knockbreda Combined Church (1971), High Kirk, Ballymena (1976) and Albertbridge Road Congreational Church (1985-86); he also worked on one other interdenominational chapel, that at Corrymeela, built in 1978-79.

References – Secondary sources
1 David Evans et al, ‘Modern Ulster Architecture’, (UAHS, 2006), pp.51-52
2 http://www.troublesarchive.com/artforms/architecture/piece/the-chapel-of-unity
3 Information from plaque within chapel

Criteria for listing: architectural interest

A. Style
B. Proportion
D. Plan Form
I. Quality and survival of Interior
J. Setting

Criteria for listing: historic interest

R. Age
S. Authenticity
V. Authorship
Y. Social, Cultural or Economic Importance
X. Local Interest
W. Northern Ireland/International Interest

Evaluation

Modernist chapel set within grounds of Methodist College, S Belfast and built in 1968 to designs by Gordon McKnight, following a competition to mark the school’s centenary. Simple symmetrical form comprised of tall steeply pitched gable flanked by shallow mono-pitches with flat-roofed clasping arcades to sides; reputed to emulate praying hands. Fine brick detailing to entrance front, in contrast to bold expressionist rear. Despite the school’s Methodist origins, the chapel is ecumenical and this ethos is demonstrated inside by the layout of pews embracing the dais in a wide ‘C’ plan. The exterior form is reflected internally with sloped ceilings, bespoke pews and screens in warm timber contrasted by vibrant stained glass Dalle de Verre panels that illuminate the space. All substantially intact. An excellent example of Gordon McKnight’s flair for modernist design and as a 20th century addition, the chapel provides an important contribution to the school’s other buildings of interest: HB26.28.24, 25, 26, 27 & 123, mainly from the Victorian era. Overlooking College Gardens, gate pillars and screen walls mid-way along that street roughly align with its entrance; although not contemporary, they help to integrate it within the historic context. The school as a whole forms an important set piece within the Queens Conservation Area.