The Dame Monica Wills Memorial Chapel at Wills Hall is open to all — by no means only to students at Wills or even exclusively to members of the University of Bristol. Anyone may attend services and use the Chapel for quiet prayer or reflection when it is open. This elegant building houses an organ, a grand piano and a harpsichord, and is often used for concerts, lectures and other events. It has an excellent acoustic. All members of the University and alumni are automatically eligible to join the Chapel Choir (subject to audition). 

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The Chapel was built in 1930, the gift of Dame Monica Wills (1861-1931), who was the widow of Henry Herbert Wills. It was designed by Sir George Oatley (the architect of  Wills Hall) in his own distinctive version of the Romanesque style. It was given to the University 'to the Glory of God, and in memory of the two brothers George Alfred and Henry Herbert Wills who jointly gave the hostel, in order to provide opportunities of regular worship and teaching necessary for the growth of the spiritual life of the students'.

 

Dame Monica's aim was decidedly ecumenical, to 'make those resident better and more loyal members of the religious body to which they severally may belong', and in this spirit the Chapel  has always hosted services and worship of a large variety of styles and confessions. She stipulated that the sanctuary should be 'reserved for Church of England use', but provided a holy table and vessels for Free Church use. The photograph below is of her 'letter of intentions' (3 December 1930), and it will magnify if you click on it.