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Controversy

The decision to build the new chapter house was met with fierce opposition and, in January 1977, a public inquiry was held to decide its fate.

After careful consideration, the Department of Environment approved the new plans on the proviso that the ancient site was thoroughly excavated before building work began.

The Architect

The architect Sir William Whitfield and his Assistant Andrew Lockwood have since worked on several notable ecclesiastical projects, including:

  • Restoration of Hawksmoor's Christ Church Spitalfields (1978-2002)
  • Restoration of Lambeth Palace Chapel for Archbishop Runcie (1988)
  • Mappa Mundi Library extension, Hereford Cathedral (1995)
  • International Study Centre, Canterbury Cathedral (2003)
  • Master Planner, Paternoster Square (1996-2003).

Abbots Bones

Bones in a boxThe remains of Robert of the Chamber, discovered under the medieval chapter house.

Eleven abbots were buried under the chapter house between 1193 and 1263. During the excavation of the site in 1978, three other graves were identified as those of:

  • Adam the Cellarer, the officer responsible for food provisions and the first chronicler of the chapter house
  • Adam Rous, a prior and surgeon to King Edward III
  • Robert of the Chamber, father of Pope Adrian IV.

In a special service held in November 1979, the bones were re-interred under the presbytery before the high altar.

Over a thousand people attended, including representatives of Benedictine communities from France and the Roman Catholic Archbishop, Cardinal Hume OSB.

Bones serviceDean Peter Moore leads a special service for the reburial of the Abbots Bones, November 1979.

Brick by Brick

Bones serviceThe bricks were painstakingly laid according to Whitfield's specifications, using a specially sourced mortar.

The design called for 500,000 reproduction Roman bricks, custom-made by hand at Bovingdon, just 12 miles from St Albans.

The Bovingdon bricks were as close in colour and quality to those used in the Norman tower of the Abbey as could be produced using modern methods.

Every brickwork junction had been drawn to scale by the architect because these Roman-style bricks gave four courses where machine bricks (used on the inner leaf of the building) gave three.

The bricks were painstakingly laid according to Whitfield's specifications, using a specially sourced mortar.

This dedication paid off when Harry Neal Ltd - the construction company who built the chapter house - won first prize in the Brick Development Association National Awards 1981.