Spiritual Life

Christ has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us to His own glory and excellence
2 Peter 1:3

The Anglican College of and within the University of Sydney

St Paul’s College is a Christian foundation in the Anglican tradition which welcomes members from any faith background or none. The College was founded on, and remains committed to, teachings that are established by the authority of the Bible for Christ has “granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us to His own glory and excellence” (2 Peter 1:3). Furthermore, as an Anglican College, our expression of the Christian faith is both reformed and catholic, summed up in the three historic Christian Creeds and in the doctrines of the Anglican Church of Australia as set down in the Book of Common Prayer (1662). The chaplaincy and Chapel experience at St Paul’s encourages spiritual exploration and reflection.  We offer seven services each week throughout the semester, both said and choral.

The Chapel

The Chapel of St Paul’s College was consecrated in 1960 by the Most Reverend Hugh Rowlands Gough, Archbishop of Sydney 1959-1966. It stands as both the spiritual and liturgical heart of the life of this the College’s Anglican identity and worship which is primarily and outwardly expressed through the public reading of scripture and preaching, through the administration of the sacraments and through prayer.

During Semester, daily liturgies are said or sung according to The Book of Common Prayer (1662), An Australian Prayer Book (1978) or A Prayer Book for Australia (1995). Choral Evensong is sung each Tuesday evening from 5:15pm with a sermon. Details of other regular said services and for Feast Days are published on the College’s website and noticeboards.

Important annual services held in the Chapel include Welcome Week and Commencement Services, ANZAC Day and Remembrance Day commemorative services, Valedictory Evensong, and the annual Festival of Lessons and Carols.

All members of the College community from any or no faith background are warmly welcome to attend any of our worship services.

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Chapel Services

Chapel Services during Semester 

St Paul’s College expresses its collegiality and hospitality chiefly as we meet and dine in Hall and when we take time out of the busyness of life to gather in the Chapel.

The College is unlike any other at the University in that it has a fulltime resident Chaplain and that it offers a number of regular services during semester.  All resident and staff members of the College are warmly invited to attend, no matter their faith background or if they come from none.

The Lord’s Supper or Holy Communion is celebrated on at 12 noon each Friday during semester. 

Other special services such as ANZAC Day and Remembrance Day, Holy Week, the Easter Vigil, Easter, the Ascension, Nine Lessons & Carols and Christmas will be advised separately.

Monday           8:30am       Morning Prayer – (20 mins)

Tuesday          8:30am        Morning Prayer – (20 mins)
Tuesday          5:15pm        Choral Evensong – (60 mins)

Wednesday    8:30am         Morning Prayer – (20 mins)

Thursday        8:30am        Morning Prayer- (20 mins)

Friday              8:30am        Morning Prayer – (20 mins)
Friday             12 noon        Holy Communion –  (40 mins)

Schedule of Chapel Services for 2022:

Anzac Day: 10:00am Commemoration Service – (60 mins) – Followed by refreshments in the Main Quad

The Queen’s Platinum Jubilee Evensong: 5.15pm Tuesday 24 May – (60 mins)

Remembrance Day: 10.30am Commemoration Service – (40 mins)

Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols (College Advent Carol Service): 7.00pm Sunday 27 November

Choir March 2022

St Paul's College Choir

As the Psalmist reminds us, “I will praise the name of God with a song, and will magnify him with thanksgiving” (Psalm 69:30). It is precisely for this that St Paul’s College (like many other colleges in leading universities in Australia, the UK, and elsewhere, as well as cathedrals and other churches) has a fine choral tradition offering a high standard of church music. The St Paul’s College Chapel Choir consists of students and semi-professional musicians. Paulines keen to audition for the Choir should contact the Director of Music, Mr Jack Stephens, jack.stephens@stpauls.edu.au.

The Chapel organ was built by the Dutch organ company, DA Flentrop of Zandaam, and is the only example of their work in Australia.  It is neo-classical in style and was installed from 1971 to 1972, thanks to the generosity of the Albert family, who kindly enabled its extensive restoration in 2019. Our organist and composer-in-residence is Mr David Drury who is an internationally renowned musician. He is ably assisted in 2022 by the organ scholar Ms Stacey Yang, a student of Graduate House.

The Choir and organ lead Evensong every Tuesday in semester and on feast days and special events. Often the music is augmented by other orchestral instrument ensembles. Recent videos of music in the College can be found by clicking here.

Bible Study
and Theological
Engagement

In addition to regular Chapel services, the College runs a weekly small group Bible Study from 8:30pm on Monday evenings. This year we are reading through Luke’s Gospel. The Chaplain also meets up with individual students on a weekly basis to read through a book of the Bible or to discuss theological issues. These studies are interesting for those open to exploring the Bible for the first time and are equally engaging for those who have had previous exposure to the Scriptures.

World Views,
Philosophy
and Ethics

For those wanting to be involved in discussions on World Views and Ethics then the group which meets on Thursday evenings from 8:30pm is appealing. This group engages with a range of ethical, moral and theological issues. Topics are mostly chosen by students and are disseminated earlier on the day.

Supper, tea and coffee are provided on these evenings. All residents of the College are most welcome and further information is available from the Chaplain.