"THE CHAPEL SOCIETY"

Beginnings
On 7 May, 1983, the first wedding took place in the Chapel when Sue Burns married Steven Bowers and this occasion marked the beginnings of The Chapel Society. The Society was formed on the initiative of the then Principal, Sister Anne McGrath, following the School’s Centenary (1982) to assist in the care and maintenance of the Chapel in providing the enhancement it deserves. Its other basic commitment would be the supervision of weddings, however, much has followed to expand this original purpose.

The beautiful Chapel designed by John Horbury Hunt holds a special place in the hearts of all the School Family

View from the choir loft

Click here (WMP)and take a tour of the Chapel (courtesy of Pastor de Lasala)

A notable feature of The Chapel Society is that many are foundation members who continue to donate their time, energy and efforts to help maintain and enhance this heritage-listed building.  Membership is currently 20 and includes RSCJ, alumnae, past parents and friends.  Concerts and recitals are held each year to raise funds for ongoing refurbishment.
Details of Events - http://www.puget-organ-restoration.org.au/events/events.html

To date there have been approximately 500 weddings.  Currently weddings are permitted for alumnae/i, their siblings, children, and grand-children.  To book a Chapel wedding contact Mrs Rosalind Mansell at the School on 9388 6140 or email mansellr@krb.nsw.edu.a . Weddings are rehearsed and supervised by Mrs Barbara Buhagiar and members of the Chapel Society attend every wedding to help greet guests.
Some recent weddings can be viewed on the NSW Sacré Cœur website at
http://www.sacrecoeur-nsw.org.au/news%20/weddings.html

Fund-raising for repairs and refurbishment to the Chapel exceeds $200,000 and some of the Achievements of this dedicated group over the past years include:

• Professional cleaning and glazing of the brassware including all the vases and candle stands, the large urn stands and the tabernacle door
• Repair and refurbishment of the altar vessels
• Provision of the carpet in the Sanctuary and aisle
• Re-plating of the plaque to the School foundresses at the entrance to the Chapel and placing of the small plaque on St Madeleine Sophie’s stall inside the Chapel (first on the right)
• Restoration of the 1882 painting of “Mater Admirabilis”
• Purchase and installation of a microphone and pa system
• Professional cleaning of the Stations of the Cross and the statues of Mary and Joseph
• Discreet electrification of the Sanctuary lamps and provision of padding along the kneelers of the benches.  (The two latter were donated by the late Sister Leila Barlow RSCJ and the late Kay Rémond respectively, both foundation members of The Chapel Society)
• Provision of cushions for all the benches - a combined gift of the Chapel Society, Parents & Friends Association, NSW Alumnae Association and the School.
• A much appreciated gift was from the Class of 2000 who donated the entire proceeds of their Vale Ball to endow the Chapel with a bronze medallion honouring its designers, Reverend Mother Vercruysse and John Horbury Hunt, and fund the restoration of the antique French reliquary of St Victor, martyr, in the Sanctuary, and the purchase of several sets of new vestments.
• Professional cleaning of the antique stalls and pulpit and repair of 26 seats and prayer book support.  This was made possible in part by a generous donation from the 2002 Vale Graduation Ball Committee.
• Professional restoration and cleaning of all the stained glass windows. This began in 2003 and there are two large windows remaining and several smaller windows, which will be completed progressively as and when funds become available.
• Restoration of the pulpit (2004)
  
  Puget Organ Restoration Project
  
  The 1890 Puget organ was dismantled and sent to France in January 2005 for a full restoration.  The organ returned to its home in the tribune in 2009 and restoration will be completed in mid-2011.
   Further information on the restoration is on the websitehttp://www.puget-organ-restoration.org.au
  
  I am extremely proud and honoured to be associated with all the members of The Chapel Society, whom I thank for their friendship, support and collective wisdom.  Their achievements are outstanding.  This is especially true of the immediate past President, Patricia Horsley, whose continuing involvement enables me to consult and share her wise counsel.  Patricia has devoted countless hours in researching the history of the Chapel and its contents.

Ann Lynch Henderson, President, The Chapel Society E-mail: annhenderson@optusnet.com.au (Tel: +61 2 9418-8856)
(Ann is an Alumna of 3 Sacred Heart Convents: San Francisco, USA, Wellington, New Zealand, and Kincoppal, Sydney, 1957-1958. She spent 2 1⁄2 years in Rome, Italy and maintains close ties with the Alumni Association of her former School there, Marymount International School.)

Donations may be forwarded c/- 47 Moola Parade, Chatswood, 2067.
If you wish Receipt for tax deduction please make cheque payable to Kincoppal-Rose Bay School Building Fund – Chapel. If not please make cheques payable to Kincoppal-Rose Bay Chapel Society.