The Friends of Lancing Chapel

Lancing College Chapel is a nationally important masterpiece of the gothic revival as well as an iconic symbol of our school. Because of its size and exposed position, the Chapel will always need costly maintenance. 

The Friends of Lancing Chapel is a charity completely independent from the school, which has been giving financial support and professional advice to the Chapel for over 60 years. It cooperates with the Lancing Chapel Trust, the charity which owns the chapel building, and maintains close contact with Lancing College and Woodard Schools.

The constitutional objectives of the Friends are to maintain and conserve the Chapel of S Mary and S Nicolas. The Friends built the west wall and rose window, completed the glazing, lighting and furnishing of the Chapel and contributed to the Handford Porch, the South Aisle door and the new Crypt altar. Meanwhile they have also given over £1m to a series of stone conservation contracts over the past 30 years.

In 2017 the two open arches in the west wall were filled with blind tracery in limestone and a design for a west porch by Michael Drury RIBA was given official approval. The Chapel Completion Campaign was subsequently launched in September 2019 and an astonishingly generous response made it possible to sign a contract with Chichester Stoneworks Ltd that same year. 

The finishing touches – after 154 years – were completed just in time for the Chapel's dedication on 23 April 2022. The Chapel then re-opened fully to visitors again on 25 April 2022.

The Chapel is open to the public daily throughout the year from 10am to 4pm, and 12 noon to 4pm on Sundays and Bank Holidays (closed on Christmas Day, Boxing Day, New Year's Day, Good Friday & Easter Sunday).

Apart from visitors’ donations and specific appeals, the Friends have depended entirely upon Members’ covenants and legacies. Thanks to the extraordinary generosity of OLs, parents and Friends from the wider community over the years, the Chapel is now in excellent condition and well cared for. 

AGM MINUTES OCTOBER 2020

To become a Friend, contact the Hon Secretary at Lancing College, Lancing BN15 0RW or via email at friendsoflancingchapel@lancing.org.uk. The minimum subscription is £20 per annum (single membership) 

Public Benefit

Friends of Lancing Chapel makes it possible for the Chapel to be open to the public throughout the year. Volunteer guides give tours for visiting parties and are usually on hand in the Chapel to inform and advise members of the public. The Charity publishes guide books, post cards, pictorial records and publicity literature and, through its co-opted members, gives advice on architectural and aesthetic matters. It organises an 'Annual Festival' for Friends and other events to help raise funds and keep the Chapel in the public eye.

Click here to support the ongoing maintenance costs of Lancing Chapel

Charity number: 241403