THE SCHOOL CHAPEL

The

School Chapel was one of the earliest buildings to be constructed at Sanawar and is the oldest existing building. It was designed by Rev. William John Parker, the first Principal of the School, who also personally supervised the construction. The first stone was laid in 1850 and the Chapel was opened on September 17, 1851. The Chapel was consecrated on April 9, 1860 and amongst those present was Sir Alexender Lawrence, son of the Founder. On August 17, 1851, Lady Honoria wrote: "We have just comp[eted a building for the Chapel..... The Chapel is of Gothic Architecture, all built of durable grey stone and the fittings of cedar pine."

While visiting Sanawar in 1857, Col Edwards wrote in a letter to a friend in England: It is about 10 years since I visited the Lawrence Asylum. It consisted then of a large barn; now it is grown into a samll parish - school houses, work rooms, play rooms, sleeping rooms, eating rooms and washing rooms for the children and dwelling houses for the Officers of the Institution, all clustered around the most English Church I have seen in India....."