THE  TRANSFIGURATION CHAPEL is situated to the left of the Chancel behind the Organ.  For many years it was used simply as a storage area until, in 2003, we cleared it to make a quiet space for prayer during a Flower Festival.  In doing so we realised that this space had potential as a more permanent place for quiet and contemplation and it was never allowed to become a storage area again.

 It would appear from its architectural features that our architect George Frederick Bodley probably intended the space to have some special purpose, although whether this was as a chapel, it is not possible to say.  It contains the oldest artefact in the Church - a memorial tablet listing a bequest made in the 18th century which was part of one of the old Chapels that pre-dated the present Church.

We began to say Morning Prayer in the space and in using it, we saw that - apart from when the organ is playing at full tilt - this is a quiet, private space, separated from the main body of the church.  Other than the Lady Chapel, which can at times be something of a thoroughfare between vestry corridor and church, there is no 'quiet space' in St John's, so it was decided to develop this area in a more permanent way.

The chapel has already been put to good and regular use: for Morning Prayer every weekday; for late-evening prayer group; for the Ministry of Laying on of Hands with Prayer, (which is offered at the end of the main morning service on the fourth Sunday of the month as part of our growing Healing Ministry); for quiet counsel and for healing prayer with any who request it; or simply for private prayer, stillness and meditation.

The Icon of the Transfiguration

The Icon of the Transfiguration was painted by a sister of the joint religious communities at Bec-Hellouin in Normandy.  The Bec communities have strong lin ks with the Diocese of Canterbury (a number of early Archbishops of Canterbury had been monks at Bec) and they have a strong commitment to working for Catholic-Anglican unity.

Sister Iréne-Marie had previously painted our icon of St John the Baptist so we returned to her when we were looking for an icon for this space.  She showed us a design of the Transfiguration based on an Orthodox Icon.  The subject seemed fitting for a chapel which witnesses to the transforming power of prayer and healing.  The Icon was painted traditionally, each stage being interspersed with prayer and fasting.  Sister Iréne told us that she prayed for increased unity between our two churches as she was painting and, whilst she recognises the tensions and obstacles to that unity, she sees the healing power of prayer as a way forward to greater communion.

The icon was paid for from money given to us through the Epping Town Mayor's Annual Appeal when Brian Rolfe (a member of St John's) was Mayor, with an additional donation from another member of the congregation.

The Creation of the Chapel

The creation of the chapel and its fitting-out was made possible through generous donation from a number of the congregation, including a donation in memory of Vera Dodds.  The main amount of money came through two people and from a small legacy.  one of these donors also paid for the glass that has been fitted to the chapel screen, whilst the carpet was given in memory of Lilian Jones, a former member of the congregation.

The chapel was designed by Piers Northam who gave his time and talent as his offering.  The work was carried out with great care and patience by joiner, Tony Douglas. The memorial tablet was renovated by local stone-carver and restorer, Paul Flack, thanks to a generous donation from two former parishioners.

The panelling was painted by a team of volunteers drawn from the congregation with further decoration by Tony Douglas and specialist gold work by Ric Phillips.  The curtain behind the icon was made by Mary Portway from Epping Upland who gave her services free.  The lighting Corona was designed by Piers Northam and installed as part of the re-lighting scheme by CES Lighting, who arranged for its manufacture.

The Plinth

We did not want an altar in the chapel but rather a plinth on which to stand flowers, candles or objects for meditation.  The plinth is made from a slice of wood from a tree felled in Epping Forest, linking us to the surrounding community and area. The wood for the plinth was generously donated by the Forest Office.

The Chapel was dedicated at Choral Evensong on 14 September 2008 by the Archdeacon of Harlow, the Venerable Peter Taylor

Music at Evensong:

Introit: O sing joyfully Batten

NEH 336 Angel voices

Responses: Rose

Psalm 72

NEH 178: 'Tis good, Lord, to be here

Magnificat & Nunc Dimittis - Sumsion in A

I will sing with the spirit - John Rutter

NEH (t.416ii) Prayer is the soul's sincere desire

NEH  208 In our day of thanksgiving

Toccata from Suite Gothique Boellmann