The Old Diocesan Issue 12 - Magazine - Page 57
HISTORY
CANON BIRT: MAN ON A MISSION
While this article focuses on the architects of the Memorial
Chapel, it is important to acknowledge the significant
impact of Harold Birt on both the building programme
and architectural design. Born in 1882 in Caterham, Surrey,
Birt received his preparatory education at Hazelwood
School, a private boarding institution nearby. In 1896, he
attended Wellington College, followed by New College,
Oxford, where he earned his MA. He pursued theological
studies at Ripon College, Cuddesdon; was ordained in
1907; and became a priest in 1908. He taught science at
Radley College until he left England to become principal
of Bishops. His leadership spell from 1919 to 1943 proved
to be one of the most influential in the school’s history,
and he had been appointed a Canon of St George’s
Cathedral by the time of its conclusion. He died in 1975.
The resolute stride of
Principal Harold Birt.
At Bishops, circumstances
evolved – Marshall moved to
Johannesburg in 1922 – and the
architects for the new chapel
became Walgate and Elsworth.
Lance Elsworth was also from
the Baker office, and provided
technical support to Walgate.
One of his best-known projects
is the two Table Mountain Aerial
Cableway stations.
The chapel was to be one of
three new buildings arranged in
the space between Founders House
and School House. The other two
were initially described as an “Art
School” and a “Science School”,
though they were subsequently
designed as a Science Block, closest
to Founders, and a Matric Block,
closest to School.
Wellington College, designed by John Shaw in the 1850s.
An early plan of the College campus showing the new chapel (A) central to
the gap between Founders House (B) and School House (C). Note that there
is not yet an indication of a linking colonnade.
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