Chapel of St Mark
Chapel of St Mark
Built in 1921, the Chapel of St Mark is located on the Ballarat Grammar Wendouree campus. It is a beautiful and sacred space, set apart from busy school life.
For generations, the Chapel has been a sanctuary for students and staff of all faiths to visit, sit, and seek peace. During chapel services, we fill the space with music and prayer in the Anglican tradition.
Our Windows
The Chapel of St Mark has various stained glass and leadlight windows, most created by contemporary Australian Stained Glass Artist, David Wright.
The windows include a series highlighting the Gospel-writers (Evangelists) Matthew, Mark, Luke and John. Another tells the life of Jesus from the Angel Gabriel, announcing his birth through to the resurrection.
A third series explores themes of the Old Testament, starting with creation. This series highlights the idea that God made all creatures great and small, with many depictions of scarab beetles, grasshoppers, cicadas and other tiny animals.
Our latest piece reflects the individual and shared history of Queens’ College and the Boys’ School, depicting coats of arms imposed on the Lion of St Mark crest.
Special Events and Eucharists
Students gather for special events at least once per Term. Significant events include:
- Founders' Day Services, including a visit from the Anglican Bishop and the induction of our School Leaders.
- The Season of Lent, which prepares us for Easter, is also in Term 1 and we gather for an Ash Wednesday Service and tell the Easter Story.
- Spirit Week Eucharist, where students lead a service exploring and celebrating the work of the Holy Spirit.
- Farewell to our Year 12 students at the ‘Seed to Tree’ Leavers’ Eucharist.
- Whole-school Christmas service, including a Prep Nativity play and Christmas carols in the Rintel Centre
- The Bishop also attends various events each year, including Baptism, First Communion and Confirmation services – all important rites of passage in the Anglican Church.
The Chaplains
Reverend Keith Romanis is a Deacon in the Anglican Church and our Coordinating Chaplain. He has also been a staff member since 2012, teaching Religion, Philosophy and Ethics. Father Keith is passionate about students having a voice in the Chapel and reminding all of our community members that they are known and loved by God.
Mrs Sophie Cotton has been a member of the Chaplaincy Team since 2024, but as the 2022 School Captain, she is deeply embedded in our school community. Sophie is passionate about the environment, being outdoors, and opening students’ imaginations to the wider world. Sophie leads our Boarders’ Services on a Sunday evening and shares in the Junior School services on Monday mornings.
Weddings, Baptisms, Funerals
The Chapel of St Mark is a beautiful and special space where generations have celebrated weddings, Christian Baptisms, and farewelled community members.
For information on holding your next special event in the Chapel, please contact us.
Acknowledgement of Country
Ballarat and Queen’s Anglican Grammar School acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of the land on which we learn, live and work, the Wadawurrung People, and recognises their continuing connection to the land and waterways. We pay our respects to their Elders past and present and extend this to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People.
Commitment to Child Safety
Ballarat Grammar maintains a zero-tolerance approach to all forms of child abuse and actively implements measures to identify and manage any risks of harm to students within our school environment. The care, safety and wellbeing of children and young people are central and fundamental responsibilities of the School. We are firmly committed to fostering a child-safe culture that provides an environment where students are safe and feel safe, where their participation is valued, their views respected, and their voices heard in decisions that affect their lives. Ballarat Grammar values diversity and strictly prohibits any racist or discriminatory practices. All members of our school community share the responsibility to care for children and young people by promptly raising any concerns regarding their safety, promoting their wellbeing, and protecting them from all forms of harm or abuse.
