As part of the 175 Celebrations, the College executive requested The Most Reverend Dr Thabo Cecil Makgoba, the Archbishop of Cape Town and Metropolitan of ACSA to formally consecrate the Brooke Chapel at an Order of Blessing and Dedication.  Accord to the canons of the church a church building cannot be fully consecrated unless fully paid for.  In the history, Bishops 150 by John Gardener et al., referring to the building of the Brooke Chapel, it says: "There is no evidence of its ever being consecrated, although one must assume that by now any debt has long since been paid or written off ... "  In 1985 when the Brooke Chapel resumed its function as a chapel after approximately 60 years as a library, Gardener writes: " ... the service was one of re-dedication as no one could be sure whether either consecration or re-consecration would be appropriate!"

Three Bishops ODs from the Anglican Clergy, participated in the service: The Rt Reverend Philip Le Feuvre, The Rt Reverend Christopher Gregorowski and The Rt Reverend Geoffrey Davies (pictured above).

Bishops' 175th year was therefore a good time, to have the service of dedication in which the Archbishop said: "We, Thabo, by divine permission Archbishop of Cape Town and Metropolitan of the Anglican Church of Southern Africa, bless and consecrate the Brooke Chapel as part of this year's celebration of 175 years of existence.  This we do in the name of God the Father, God the Son, God the Holy Spirit, Amen."

This special service was also the blessing of the stained-glass windows.  It was considered appropriate to call on the entire Bishops community, staff, parents and ODs to join in this commemoration and leave a long-lasting gift.  Joc Wrensch, the 175 Director, wrote: "The Brooke Chapel has been at the centre of worship for over a century, and holds a special place in the hearts of many in the Bishops community, as a place of quiet contemplation, for services, weddings, baptisms and memorial services."  

Three windows honour three special people related to Bishops.  The artist Anika van der Merwe was appointed to undertake the project.  To read more about it, please go to the link https://college.bishops.org.za/175/175StainedGlassWindow.html

Photo above (all photo credits, Bishops Archives): Archbishop Thabo consecrating the altar.

Photo above: Joc Wrensch, Deputy Head, conducting the choir (Joc Wrensch oversaw the entire project). 

Photo above: Archbishop Thabo sprinkling the congregation in the consecration ceremony.

For information on the windows please go to the link https://college.bishops.org.za/175/175StainedGlassWindow.html

For information on the windows please go to the link https://college.bishops.org.za/175/175StainedGlassWindow.html

Photo above: Bishops' 15th Principal, Tony Reeler addressing the congregation, explaining the occasion.

Photo above: Bishop Joshua Louw reading out the Certificate of dedication.

A reception was held afterwards on the lawns outside the Brooke Chapel.