Opening Event
We are excited to announce that Chapel Barn at High Leigh Conference Centre in Hertfordshire officially re-opened its doors to guests in October, after a year of restoration.
A launch event was held to formally open the new venue, to celebrate its history, to thank all those involved in the project, and to recognise God’s provision at High Leigh past, present and future.
The chapel has strong significance for the centre, symbolising its past in connection with the Barclay family legacy and their Christian roots as well as for the future as we welcome groups, both old and new, of all ages, and of diverse Christian traditions from around the UK and other parts of the world.
The Chapel Barn Story
Looking back at Chapel Barn history and how it came into being, it is fascinating to recall that…
Robert L Barclay inherited the High Leigh property, which belonged to his parents Robert and Elizabeth Ellen Barclay, and it was purchased shortly afterwards by First Conference Estate (the predecessor of CCT) in 1922.
Robert remained in close contact with all that went on at High Leigh and he decided to commission a beautiful chapel after his own design, that of an old English barn, as a memorial to his parents who had lived at the house for over fifty years.
The original chapel was built in the late 1920’s as a legacy from the Barclay family. The building began as a half-timbered frame structure with attractive detailing which originally stood in a walled garden, just off the main entrance to the house.
However, as the years went on, the chapel started to lose its prominence and it became overshadowed by the conference centre developing around it.
CCT therefore decided to invest in a full restoration of the building, with the intention to increase its usefulness to guests, and to reassert its character as an attractive meeting venue and worship and prayer space, particularly with its location at the heart of the High Leigh site.
A Year of Restoration
CCT are pleased to have been able to fund the careful restoration, rebuilding and extension of the chapel during 2017 to reveal its fine and authentic form, and to enable future generations of guests to enjoy the ambience and facilities that it provides.
The development has been undertaken sympathetically, taking the building’s architectural heritage into consideration at all stages. The frame has been exposed, restoring the original wooden beams and opening up the interior to optimise the space and to make Chapel Barn a stunning venue option for events and meetings of many kinds, and also for prayer, worship, and personal reflection.
In addition to restoring the chapel’s original features, the building has also been extended to provide a highly functional adjacent catering space with modern toilet facilities, and it has been fitted with state of the art heating and ventilation to ensure all year round comfort. This self sufficiency and high quality of fit-out makes the building suitable for a wide variety of functions and events.
Having opened the interior, the existing series of rooms has been transformed into a large, flexible open space seating up to 120 people, and giving groups and organisations multiple space and layout options.
Technology
Free WIFI is provided throughout the High Leigh site, and Chapel Barn is fully equipped with high quality AV facilities, including:
- Multi-media presentation capability & high quality live music amplification
- 32 channel mixing console
- Radio and fixed microphones, Yamaha Clavinova electric piano
- CD/MP3 and Bluetooth playback & recording
- Dual high definition 65” LCD screens, with additional rear repeater screen for presenters
- HDMI connectivity & DVD/Blu-ray playback
- Multiple lighting “moods” to suit all types of event requirements
Outside
The area outside Chapel Barn boasts beautiful new landscaping and outside seating areas which also facilitates traffic-free access between the meeting rooms and accommodation wings.
For further information on hiring the venue for your group event, or if you would like a tour, please call us on 0300 111 4444 or email ChapelBarn@cct.org.uk
