Chapel

 THE JUBILEE CHAPEL

Worship has been  an integral part of the American College life since its inception. Earlier  the morning worship on working days and the Vespers on Sunday evenings  were conducted in the college Main Hall with an altar setup at the middle of the western Verandah. Having felt the need for a specific space for worship to enhance the devotional atmosphere a chapel, Unique in architecture was planned. The Corner stone was laid in 1931 when Rev. Dr. B.S.  Stoffer was the Principal. Professor E.M. Flint the convener of the building Committee worked for the Completion of the project. Mr. R. Dann Director of Town Planning Madras and Mr. Laurence Agnus, London were the chief architects Mr. V. Raman was the engineer and Mr. R. Sebastian the contractor. The chapel was dedicated as the Golden Jubilee Memorial of The American College by the Rev. Dr. A.G. Hogg the then Principal of the Madras Christian College.

The architecture of the chapel with its lofty Saracen arches stands for a fascinating synthesis of cultures. The chapel continues to serve the college and community at large with its social outreach programmes. Even when there is no service, the chapel remains open as inviting space for people to enter for a quite meditative moment with its unique ambience the chapel has welcomed generations of students of all faiths in the 75 years existence. It will continue to remain a sacred space for self interrogation and spiritual search.

CHAPEL SERVICES

THE CHOIR

The American College Choir assists the chapel Sunday Vespers, and conducts song-services and the annual College Christmas Carol Service. The Choir is a team of voluntary singers, male and female, made up of students, faculty, alumni and friends of the college. The Choir is dedicated to the rehearsal and performance of choral works of mixed voice and male voice arrangements in English and Tamil. Its repertoire includes hymns, spirituals, Gospel songs, Classical and semi-classical works and some secular songs.