The College chapel (architect Courteney Theobald) was built in 1935 following a donation from former student, Emily Kemp. However, as Somerville was specifically founded without religious affiliation, some contemporaries saw the building of a chapel as contrary to this founding principle. Construction went ahead in spite of objections but the chapel was never consecrated and its one stained glass window (designer Reginald Bell) portrays female figures representing Learning and Truth in addition to the risen Christ. The photograph above was taken shortly after construction and reflects the stark simplicity of the chapel which is retained today (below).
