To the S.P.G. 15 Tufton Street, Westminster London S.W.1.

Our beautiful chapel was dedicated to the Glory of GOD on November 4th. it is just a week ago, and the joy and happiness that came to us, still remains with us. It is difficult to express what our Chapel means to us. For many years, much as we loved our little house of prayer, with its many reminders of those who had passed on from us, we have felt the need of a larger building for our rapidly growing school. Five years ago we started a collection among the Old Girls, and the money started to come in little by little. We asked at first for ₹500 but soon increased it to ₹1200, when we realised the need for rebuilding, rather than merely extending. This was a large sum to expect, but we were full of hope when we realised that hardly a month passed without some contribution being added to the Fund. “Many a mickle makes a muckle”, and soon we began to realise that it was time to make the plans. Alas, ₹.1200 was much too little for the building we needed. The old building had already served its time, and it would be necessary to have it levelled. Not even the foundation could be used again. The amount we were faced with was ₹4000. We then asked the S.P.G. if they could help, and were once again full of eagerness ana excitement when we were promised £50 [₹500] from the Marriot Bequest and £30 [₹300] from the S.P.C.K. By this time, Mr. Hubbard had arrived, and very soon, he had prepared for us a most beautiful plan, which was exactly what we had been dreaming of.

The foundation stone was laid by Mr. Hubbard on St John the Baptist's Day [24 June], and those of us who could claim to represent the school in any particular way, also vanished into the deep hole, and laid a stone too, while the children sang “The Church's One Foundation”. We feel that the foundation of the back wall of the apse must be very strong indeed. We have watched the building grow. How we longed for the day when the framework might be removed from the Chancel Arch, and on another day left everything we were doing, in order to be present when the bricks were knocked way from under the arches at the entrance; and now it is all complete, and we have been worshipping in it or a whole week. It seems as though there has never been a time when we were without it

The Dedication Service was wonderful. The Chapel was packed with at least 500 people, and 200 more must have been in the Pandal [marquee], erected in front of the entrance, all of whom seemed full of awe and wonder, for GOD was very truly with us that day. Mr Selwyn, the Bishop’s Commissary dedicated the building, the children's singing was most reverent and sweet. After the service people seemed disinclined to move away. The quiet and peace of the service still hung over it all, but gradually the Chapel emptied, and the little light in the Sanctuary Lamp twinkled very sweetly, as though carrying on for us. It was a day we shall never forget.

Then followed the feast, the distribution of flowers to the visitors, the pasting on our hands and necks of sandal, and receiving a good sprinkling of rose water. How happy we were! There seemed to be no end to the number of people who feasted with us that day. “Come along”, we would hear, “You were here last stirring the alva till 2 o’clock in the morning. You must come and join us in our feast” “Amma [Mother], he carried the crotons from the church and made many journeys, may we invite him?”

The Chapel of St John’s Training School.

An exterior view, showing the Pandal.

The Pandal (a great joy to the little ones.)

The interior. It does not show the verandahs on either side.

The Sanctuary.

One of the verandahs.

A peep into the vestry.

All was joy and excitement, merry laughter, and such chatter! What a day, how can we ever forget it!Our K.M.s have been as busy as ever this year. The concert they gave (a simple nativity play) was as good as ever, and the collection was a record. The money is spent in various ways, little girls more unfortunate than themselves are supported at Ramnad School, the hospital at Nazareth, the hospital at Halnaghat, the Indian Missionary Society, the Chinese refugees, The B.&F.B.S all receive contributions, and a sum is also sent to the Home Society. A Committee Meeting is now due, and the little members will be planning afresh how to use up all the money, as none is allowed to accumulate.

The Club girls continue to meet regularly. They have been learning various handicrafts this term, to help them to earn a little extra money if possible, and if not, at least to give them something to do to occupy any spare moments they have. They have learnt tape weaving on a simple loom they can make themselves, how to spin, and to make palmyra leaf baskets. 1 hope to arrange a little sale for them if they persevere.

Our Confirmation has had to be postponed this year, to January, but the girls seem to feel that the fact that they will probably be the first to be confirmed by the new Bishop will be quite an adequate compensation.

Lilian M. Evans

["₹" replacing the original "Rs." on 15 July 2010, so I am being a tad anachronistic here.]