Chapel

For over 100 years, students, staff and alumni of Trinity College and Janet Clarke Hall have come together to worship in the Chapel with members of the wider community.

Chapel 658x168

Consecrated in 1917, the Chapel is an Anglican Church that sits within the grounds of Trinity College and the University of Melbourne. People of all denominations and faiths are welcome to visit and worship at our College Chapel.

The College Chaplains, eminent visiting preachers and members of both the Trinity and Janet Clarke Hall communities all preach at various services throughout the year.

Chapel services reflect the rich Anglican heritage of Trinity College, but it is not necessary to be an Anglican or a regular worshipper to join in Chapel worship and other activities.

Staff and students from the University and the wider community join students and staff in Sunday and weekday worship.

Students and staff may also join in Chapel activities including bible studies and College retreats.

Each December, the College celebrates Advent with a Festival of Lessons and Carols.

The Chapel is also available for life event ceremonies, including weddings and funerals.

Find out more about Events in the Trinity Chapel

Chapel Opening Hours

9.00am-5.30pm Monday-Friday

Open for services Saturday and Sunday.

Regular Services Times

Sunday

5.00pm: Choral Evensong (during University semester)

Monday

9.00am: Morning Prayer 

3.30pm: Holy Eucharist (during University semester)*

Tuesday

9.00am: Morning Prayer

Wednesday

8.30am: Holy Eucharist

Thursday

9.00am: Morning Prayer 

5.45pm: Choral Evensong (during University semester)* 

Friday

9.00am: Morning Prayer

Saturday

5.30pm: Taizé, contemplative prayer (first Saturday of each month)

*University semester is from 23 July to 21 October (excluding 24-30 September due to mid-semester break). 

Chapel Events

Semester 2 Events 2018

Our Choral Evensong sermon series for Semester 2 explores The Apostles’ Creed.
29 July: The Rev. Canon Professor Dorothy Lee
5 August: The Rev. Lenore Parker
12 August: Bishop Lindsay Urwin
19 August: The Rev. Heather Cetrangolo
26 August: Bishop Philip Huggins (Choral Eucharist)
2 September: The Rev. Professor Mark Lindsay
9 September: The Rev. Professor Christiaan Mostert
16 September: Anna McGahan
7 October: The Rev. Heather Cetrangolo
14 October: Mr Campbell Bairstow, Dean & Deputy Warden
11 November: Bishop Brad Billings (Service for Remembrance Day)

Carol Services
1 December at 6pm: Advent Carol Service
2 December at 5pm: Festival of Lessons and Carols

Chapel art and architecture

Trinity Chapel was designed by Tasmanian architect Alexander North and built during the second decade of the 20th Century. The building was funded by Melbourne businessman John Sutcliffe Horsfall in memory of his daughter Edith Carington.

North used native timbers, particularly Tasmanian oak, and local materials exclusively throughout the Chapel’s interior. He depicted native flora and fauna in the decorative woodwork, replacing traditional English and Anglican emblems and motifs with depictions of eucalyptus leaves and waratahs in art nouveau style. Carved possums, platypuses and bandicoots attributed to the leading Australian woodcarver Robert Prenzel are depicted on the armrests of the pews.

North designed a wood-carved eagle as a book-rest for the Chapel lectern which was carved by sculptor JJR Tranthim–Fryer. This was presented to the College by the Carse family in memory of Franc Carse who died in action in the First World War.

The Chapel has beautiful stained glass windows and many examples of religious art, including a reproduction of Madonna della Seggiola (c.1865) by an unknown artist, which was presented to the College by Alexander Mollison in about 1880.