11 March - 05 April 2024, Altdorf at Easter: A sequence of woodcuts for reflection this holy season

Christ on the Mount of Olives, 1948,

Sleeping Figures, 1952

Man’s Head with Cockerel and Hourglass, 1950

Christ’s Head, 1948

Descent from the Cross, 1952

Woman, 1948,

Christ Appears to the Women, 1950

Arranged as a meditation on the Easter narrative, this selection of woodcuts shows the German artist Egon Altdorf (1922–2008) exploring his faith through art in the early post-war years.

In Christ on the Mount of Olives (1), Christ is open-handed, with a chalice and three trees anticipating the crucifixion.

Sleeping Figures (2) depicts the disciples sleeping in the Garden of Gethsemane.

Man’s Head with Cockerel and Hourglass (3) is both a self-portrait – Altdorf wearing his favourite sculptor’s cap – and a depiction of Jesus’s apostle, Peter.

Christ’s Head (4) includes further symbols: Christ’s wounded hands, crown of thorns, a cockerel, and the dice used to gamble for his clothing.

Following Christ’s descent from the cross (5), we see one of Altdorf’s most poignant images:

a Woman locked in grief (6).

Lastly, risen from the grave, Christ appears to two women (7),  who hurry joyously towards him. 

These woodcuts were part of a broader reaffirmation of faith in post-war Germany, exploring themes of repentance and reconciliation as a means of rebuilding a national identity. From the roughly yet powerfully carved Christ’s Head, we witness Altdorf’s woodcuts gain in assurance, leading to the beautifully balanced imagery of Sleeping Figures and Descent from the Cross.

 

Lent and Holy Week Chapel Services and Events, Monday 11 March - Friday 05 April

Download details of Lent and Holy Week Chapel Services and Events

Please join us for the following Chapel Services and Events during Lent and Holy Week:

  • Monday 11th March - Friday 5th April, Altdorf at Easter
    a small exhibition of Egon Altdorf's woodcuts and drawings for reflection this Holy Season.
  • Tuesday 12th March 6.10pm, Choral Contemplations
  • Wednesday 13th March 1pm, Organ Recital – Alan Tavener
  • Saturday 16 March 7.30pm, Durufle’s Requiem
    with UofG Chapel Choir and Choral Society, conducted by T. Vong

  • Tuesday 19th March 6.10pm, Choral Eucharist
    The culminating service of the academic term, a celebration recognising St Joseph’s enduring contribution to the tapestry of faith.
  • Wednesday 20th March 1pm, Organ Recital – Kevin Bowyer

  • Tuesday 26th March 6.10pm, Taizé Service
    with a reflection on Altdorf’s work by Revd Canon Prof David Jasper

  • Thursday 28th March 7.30pm, Choral music for Maundy Thursday

Find us

The Chaplaincy Offices are situated on level 2 of the Main Building, West Quadrangle adjacent to the Memorial Chapel.

Get directions

                   
Accessible entrance to Chapel                          Chapel entrance from West Quadrangle

                    
Chapel entrance Professor Square                     Chapel Entrance leading to Chaplaincy Offices 

 

 

 

Chapel Music: Concerts and Organ Recitals

 
Photo credit: Harry Campbell
The University of Glasgow Chapel Choir provides music for services and events in the chapel and elsewhere, as well as giving concerts and recitals throughout the academic year, such as the weekly "Choral Contemplations" series in the first and second terms. It also records and tours nationally and internationally, has recorded several CDs, and is available for weddings and memorial services. 

Friday Celebrity Organ Concerts and Wednesday Lunchtime Organ Concerts 2023-2024

  • Wednesday Lunchtime Concerts: 1.10 - 1.50pm
  • Friday Celebrity Concerts: 6 pm

Download details: Organ Concerts January - March 2024

Wednesday 17th January Richard Powell (Freelance, Glasgow)

  Wednesday 24th January Kevin Bowyer (Glasgow University Organist)

  Wednesday 31st January Tiffany Vong (Jordanhill Parish Church)

  Wednesday 7th February Jonathan Smith (Lanfine Organ Scholar)

  Wednesday 14th February David Hamilton (Strathclyde University)

  Wednesday 21st February Kevin Bowyer (Glasgow University Organist)

  Wednesday 28th February Travis Baker (Organist, Battle Abbey School)

  Wednesday 6th March Jeremy Wan (Organ Scholar, Guildford Cathedral)

  Wednesday 13th March Alan Tavener (St Bride's Episcopal Church)

  Wednesday 20th March Kevin Bowyer (Glasgow University Organist)

Funded by The Ferguson Bequest
Professor Thomas Ferguson (1900-1977), Henry Mechan Chair of Public Health (1944-64), bequeathed his estate to the University, with the instruction that the money should be used to foster the social side of University life

The Chapel Organ was built by Henry Willis III in 1927 and was most recently refurbished by Harrison & Harrison of Durham in 2005.
Please see Chapel Organ Specification

 

 

 

Calligraphy Sessions as Meditation with the International Study Group: Interfaith Room, Tuesdays 12-2pm, January - June 2024

Honorary International Chaplains, Yushin and Fumi from Japan Desk Scotland, will be delighted to welcome you to the Interfaith Room on Tuesdays 12-2pm for Calligraphy as meditation from January - June 2024

January: 23, 30

February: 6, 13, 20, 27

March: 5, 12, 19, 26

April: 2, 23, 30

May: 7, 14, 21, 28

June: 4, 11, 18, 25 

All materials provided.

To find the Interfaith Room: from the West Quadrangle, enter door adjacent to the Chapel (where the Chaplaincy welcome sign is), then turn immediate left and down the stairs. We look forward to seeing you! 

 

Calligraphy as Meditation

 

View previous Chapel Services

Chaplaincy You Tube Channel

2021 - 2022

Tuesday 15 February
Taizé Music and Prayer
A reflective service or prayer and music, led by the University Chaplain and the Chapel Choir. Our monthly Taizé services offer a reflective, inclusive and meditative space at the end of the day.

Tuesday 2 February
Choral Evensong
Led by The Very Rev Kelvin Holdsworth and The Rev Canon Oliver Brewer-Lennon, Honorary Anglican Chaplains

Tuesday 18 January
Taizé Music and Prayer
A reflective service or prayer and music with Father Stephen Reillyand the University Chapel Choir.

20 November 2021
Transgender Day of Remembrance (TDOR): An online service reflecting upon the tragic loss of life of those who identify as Transgender.

Tuesday 2 November, 6pm
Choral Evensong for COP26
Led by the Honorary Anglican Chaplains with the University Chapel Choir conducted by Katy Cooper, Director of Chapel Music accompanied by Kevin Bowyer, University Organist. 

Including the first performance of a new work for choir by Harold Thalange, commissioned by the University of Glasgow as part of the ‘Dear Green Bothy’ project. 

Tuesday October 19 , 6pm
Taize Service: prayer, reflection on scripture and music for contemplation
Led by Rev Dr.Carolyn Kelly, University Chaplain with the University Chapel Choir conducted by Katy Cooper, Director of Chapel Music

Tuesday 5 October, 6pm
Choral Evensong
Led by The Very Rev Kelvin Holdsworth and The Rev Canon Oliver Brewer-Lennon, Honorary Anglican Chaplains

 

2020-2021
Tuesday 23 March, 6pm
Choral Contemplations
University Chapel Choir conducted by Katy Cooper, Director of Chapel Music.

March 16 Tuesday, 6pm
Vespers: prayer, reflection on scripture and music for contemplation 
Led by Rev Dr.Carolyn Kelly, University Chaplain with the University Chapel Choir conducted by Katy Cooper, Director of Chapel Music

March 14 Sunday, 11am
University Cathedral Service 

March 9 Tuesday
Choral Contemplations
University Chapel Choir conducted by Katy Cooper, Director of Chapel Music.

Tuesday 2 March
Taizé Music and Prayers
Led by Rev Dr.Carolyn Kelly, University Chaplain with the University Chapel Choir conducted by Katy Cooper, Director of Chapel Music.

Tuesday 23 February
Choral Contemplations:Bute Hall Windows-Doctors of the Church
Online via Chapel Choir YouTube and Facebook

Wednesday 17 Feb 
Ash Wednesday Service Coronach: Lenten Lamentation
A service of music and reflection to begin the Christian season of Lent

Tuesday 16 February
Vespers: prayer, reflection on scripture and music for contemplation 
Led by Rev Dr.Carolyn Kelly, University Chaplain with the University Chapel Choir conducted by Katy Cooper, Director of Chapel Music.

Tuesday 9 February Choral Contemplations
Online via Chapel Choir YouTube and Facebook

Tuesday 2 February Taizé Music and Prayers
Led by Rev Dr.Carolyn Kelly, University Chaplain with the University Chapel Choir conducted by Katy Cooper, Director of Chapel Music.

Tuesday 26 January Choral Contemplations: Bute Hall Windows I - Robert Burns
University Chapel Choir conducted by Katy Cooper, Director of Chapel Music.

Tuesday 19 January Vespers: prayer, reflection on scripture and music for contemplation
Led by Rev Dr.Carolyn Kelly, University Chaplain with the University Chapel Choir conducted by Katy Cooper, Director of Chapel Music.

Tuesday 12 January Taizé Music and Prayers
Led by Rev Dr.Carolyn Kelly, University Chaplain with the University Chapel Choir conducted by Katy Cooper, Director of Chapel Music.

Sunday 13 December Service of Lessons and Carols

Sunday 6 December  Madrigirls Advent Service

Tuesday 1 December Taizé Music and Prayers
Led by Rev Dr.Carolyn Kelly, University Chaplain with the University Chapel Choir conducted by Katy Cooper, Director of Chapel Music.

Tuesday 17 November, 18:00 Vespers: prayer, reflection on scripture and music for contemplation

Sunday 15 November 08:10 Sunday Worship Radio 4
Rev Dr Doug Gay, Principal of Trinity College, Glasgow, and Rev Dr Carolyn Kelly, Chaplain to Glasgow University explore the mixed feelings experienced when faith has to reckon with the complexities of life on Radio 4 at 08:10 Sunday 15 November.

Tuesday 3 November 18:00 - Taizé Music and Prayers.     
Led by Rev Dr Carolyn Kelly, University Chaplain with the Chapel Choir conducted by Katy Cooper, Director of Chapel Music
Explore Taizé 

Tuesday 20 October 18:00 - Vespers: prayer, reflection on scripture and music for contemplation. 
Led by Rev Dr Carolyn Kelly, University Chaplain with the Chapel Choir conducted by Katy Cooper, Director of Chapel Music. 

The Road to Emmaus: part 1.
Online service from the University of Glasgow Chaplain, Rev Dr Carolyn Kelly.

This Too Shall Pass: Reflections on the Emmaus Road, part 2
Online service from the University of Glasgow Chaplain, Rev Dr Carolyn Kelly.

Stay With Us: Reflections on the Emmaus Road, part 3
Online service from the University of Glasgow Chaplain, Rev Dr Carolyn Kelly.

 

Archive of Chapel Art Exhibitions

  • Tracing the art of a Stolen Generation, the child artists of Carrolup.
    Thursday 6 October – Thursday 10 November.
    Remarkable artwork and stories provide opportunities for truthful conversations about the impact of colonisation, the Stolen Generations, and the rights of children today.


  • Festival of Science: Using Photography to Explore Social Issues
    16 November - 7 January 2022
    A Photographic Exhibition on the topics of 'End of Life' and 'Financial Hardship'


  • 7 DAYS by Carol Marples, artist for the Soul Marks Trust
    Monday 1st November - Friday 26th November 2021

    7 DAYS aims to cause us to reflect on the gift of creation. Our role and our place in it, what past and present effects our actions or inactions have caused, and the choices we now make in caring for and repairing it.   

    Taking as a starting point the ancient Hebrew text of Genesis, Chapter 1- telling of the seven days of creation - seven panels, (1M x 1M) were created from re-purposed fabrics, gold-leaf, emulsion, candle wax and thread. From Mid-July to mid-October the panels were installed in seven different gardens therefore handing the works over to the various situational and elemental environments of these places. Changes to the panels over these eight weeks are being documented by the artist – available to see on Soul Marks social media sites and Website. The seven panels will be exhibited during COP26 – in whatever state they have evolved to. 


    Carol gave a talk on the work's conception and process on 25 November 

    http://www.soulmarks.co.uk/7-days-a/ 
    Soul Marks Trust is a registered Scottish Charity: SC 034403

  • Gardner and Gardner : From time to time….’
    Monday 13 September - Friday 15th October 2021


    In the unique, contemplative environment of the 1929, University of Glasgow Memorial Chapel.  The kinetic installation was a visual meditation on text found in the biblical book of Ecclesiastes.  Originally written in Hebrew, sometime between the 5th and 2nd Century B.C, the ancient text catalogues in fourteen couplets the times and seasons of human experience, not instructional but observational. 
    Listen to:
    Ecclesiastes ch3 vv1-8 read in Englishby Ishbel McFarlane, performer and theatre maker: You Tube link   
    Ecclesiastes 3:1-8 (Kohelet) read in Hebrewby Rabbi Aharon Lemberger: You Tube link: You Tube link
    The couplets, transposed onto paper, are set within the tension and balance of a mobile; its movement causing the perforated words to be both revealed and obscured. 
    ‘From time to time…’ invited us to pause and consider the world as it is. There is wisdom in giving such attention and doing so can help us navigate the sorrows and the joys of human experience.
    gardnerandgardner.co.uk

 

    • Tears of Gold - Stories of Women Displaced from Home
      Friday 11 - Thursday 17 June 2021

    In Hannah Rose Thomas’ portraits we come face to face with the grief and loss of bodily integrity, with the integrity of human lives lived within the environment. In the portraits we come face to face with women (and men) who have been displaced and we see into a future that we have a chance to change, into suffering that might be prevented.

    Supported by The Dear Green Bothy, a collaborative cultural programme from the University of Glasgow’s College of Arts showcasing creative and critical responses to climate emergency

    #TheDearGreenBothy @UofGArts

    Should you have any questions please email unesco-rila@glasgow.ac.uk

    Part of Refugee Festival Scotland 2021

    refugeefestivalscotland.co.uk

    #RefugeeFestScot