History

Every story is unique to its context, but the history of Anglican Higher Education Chaplaincy in Bangor is perhaps more unique than most! Shortly after the foundation of the University College in 1884, the Church of England (as it was then) decided that it needed a stake in the new educational venture at Bangor. The northern Welsh dioceses of St Asaph and Bangor joined together to fund a house and clergyman to work alongside the College.

A private house called Craig Menai was bought in 1886 and came to be known as Church Hostel. The project was heavily influenced by H.T. Edwards, Dean of Bangor, and represented an outgrowth of the Bangor Clerical Educational Society with which Edwards was closely involved. The initial function of the Hostel and its Warden was thus largely geared to developing potential clergy during their time at University before they went to theological college.

The building expanded in line with the growth of the University College and the numbers of young men seeking ordination. The present chapel, and rooms 1 to 10 were built under the Wardenship of Glyn Simon in 1933, with a free-standing library building being added five years later. Another large extension in 1953-54 created rooms 11 to 21. The library was converted at the turn of the millennium into a flexible multi-media space available for public hire. A major refurbishment in early 2009 has recently renovated all our washroom spaces and created an additional three bedrooms, rooms 26 to 28.

Even from its inception, Church Hostel was intended to exercise a wider function as a physical base for Anglican activity within the University College, a role recognised today as one of Chaplaincy to all students and staff. The Chaplain / Warden's tasks have sometimes been facilitated by contributing to the lecturing life of the School of Theology and Religious Studies. The aim of the Chaplaincy remains the combination of these various tasks and opportunities so that the love of Christ for individuals and society can be demonstrated: 'Christian worship and service by and for members of the University.'

The Chapel in 1933 -

then with an east-facing altar

surrounded by riddel posts.

Church Hostel 1934-35.

This photo shows the new wing and contains both Warden Glyn Simon and Church Hostel's most famous resident, the poet R.S. Thomas.

The above information draws on Barry Morgan's History of the Church Hostel and Anglican Chaplaincy at University College of North Wales Bangor 1886-1986, which is available through second-hand booksellers over the internet.

All of Church Hostel's significant archive material is on deposit with Bangor University Archive Service.