A generous gift from Judge James Renwick AM CSC (in College 1983–84, Sub Warden 1992–93) has transformed the Chapel’s lighting, enhancing worship, showcasing its heritage features, and improving illumination through modern technology.
The refurbishment was carefully planned with Petra Kleegraefe, director of Architectural Lighting Design Pty Ltd in Hunters Hill. Central to the work was retaining and cleaning the original ‘saucer’ lights, created in 1960 to the design of Fowler Mansfield and Maclurcan. Old Pauline John Mansfield (in College 1924–28), working with Peter Reed (1928–32), was responsible for several significant Australian buildings, including places of worship. The College Chapel shares features with the inter-denominational Chapel of St George the Martyr at HMAS Watson, South Head—completed in March 1961—notably its low-pitched roof and narrow central spire and Loire stained glass.
Petra commented: “The lighting concept for the chapel was to improve the atmosphere and functionality of the space while respecting its heritage. I’m delighted with the outcome, and I particularly love how the internal lighting of the Dalle de verre stained glass walls glows so beautifully at night. It invites people into the chapel and acts as a strong reminder of it to anyone walking through the courtyard.”
Current technology has enabled the replacement of incandescent globes, replacement of sub-optimal flood lights with fittings that better direct illumination to where it is needed, and a system for dimming and ‘scene setting’ the lighting array. “We carefully refurbished the existing luminaires with modern LED technology and implemented a control system that creates the right moods and functional light levels to suit the chapel’s various uses. I thoroughly enjoyed working with the College, and while lighting calculations give confidence that a scheme will work well, there is nothing quite like experiencing it come together in the space itself” said Petra.
One of the most pleasant outcomes is the lighting settings for the Chapel’s east window created in glass slab by Gabriel Loire of Chartres, France to the design of Australian Artist and Blake Prize winner Eric Smith. The window is now illuminated for several hours each night.
James attended the Dedication of the Lights at Evensong on Tuesday 18 August and during the service he gave an address titled Lux Vestra Luceat (let your light shine). In it he said “this Chapel has always held a special place in my heart, because here I was introduced to Thomas Cranmer’s great Book of Common Prayer, and had the pleasure of being a chorister … So that is why it gave me such pleasure to help ensure the Chapel is better lit, to make even better the setting for the music, the liturgy and our worship in this sacred place. As St. John’s Gospel memorably says, “the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it”.
James also has a strong navy connection having recently retired as a Commodore RAN. James’s gift has been made in honour of Bishop Max Thomas (in College 1943-47, Warden 1985-94), James’s Warden.
The generosity of so many Paulines comes in many ways—from returning to College for events, to gifts in the mid-year Foundation Appeal, to bequests—all enormously important to current and future students of St Paul’s. Chapel architect John Mansfield’s bequest in 1965 resulted in the building of the Mansfield Library which opened in 1968 and is enjoyed today as a centre of self-directed study for both undergraduate and postgraduate communities.
