The Ridley Chapel C. M. S. Training College, Buwalasi
in the Archives of Ridley Hall, Cambridge
The Ridley Chapel, Buwalasi
Ridley Hall Archives 1.
‘The Battlement’ periodical: articles / letters in issues 1931, 1932, 1934, 1936, 1947
2.
CMS coloured map on linen, Elgon Mission C.M.S. Uganda, approx 4 ft x 4 ft
3.
Ridley Hall Jubilee Thankoffering For Buwalasi Training College, C.M.S. East Africa, List of subscribers May 1933
4.
Order of Service for the Consecration of the Ridley Chapel, Buwalasi College
5.
Newspaper clippings: a. b. c. d.
Church of England Newspaper, 6th May 1932 East Africa 26th May 1932 East Africa 15th March 1934 Church of England Newspaper March 1934
6.
Christmas card from the Bishop of the Upper Nile with Ridley Chapel window on front cover, 1933
7.
Correspondence with Church Missionary Society 1929-30
8.
Correspondence with Ridley Council 1930
9.
Correspondence and reports Buwalasi 1934-1950
10. Correspondence and reports Buwalasi 1957- 1970 11. Buwalasi photograph album 12. Upper Nile Diocesan Association membership card, Revd Paul Gibson, 1930
The Need for a New College In 1926 the new Diocese of the Upper Nile had been created by joining almost the whole of the Eastern Province of the Diocese of Uganda to a portion of the Sudan. The few African clergy in the southern part of the new Diocese, the Elgon area, had all been trained outside it. Given the size of the diocese, more school teachers and clergy were needed, and it was decided that a new Diocesan Training College should be built. The Revd Edward Bull (Ridley 1927–29), who was the Principal of Nabumali High School in 1931, was designated as Principal of the new college, and Mr Keir Hett was chosen as the architect. Around £8,000 was needed to pay for the college buildings as a whole, and money was raised both in England and in Africa. Ridley Hall’s 50th Jubilee took place in 1929, and in 1930 Ridley decided to dedicate the proceeds of its Jubilee Fund to Buwalasi, aiming at raising a total of £5,000, which would pay for the building of the chapel and also fund the Principal’s salary.
13. ‘Buwalasi College’ booklet by Ven H. Mathers, Revd. S. J. Berry, Revd. W. H. Macartney and Om P. Kaumi, 1939 14. ‘Worship and Service’, Buwalasi College magazine December 1939 15. ‘The Church on the Upper Nile’ booklet February 1944 16. ‘Elgon Waiting’, A Story of Wonderful Growth’ by Ven. H. Mathers 17. ‘New Life in Elgon’ booklet by Ven. H. Mathers
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The Ridley Chapel, Buwalasi
Ridley Hall Archives 1.
‘The Battlement’ periodical: articles / letters in issues 1931, 1932, 1934, 1936, 1947
2.
CMS coloured map on linen, Elgon Mission C.M.S. Uganda, approx 4 ft x 4 ft
3.
Ridley Hall Jubilee Thankoffering For Buwalasi Training College, C.M.S. East Africa, List of subscribers May 1933
4.
Order of Service for the Consecration of the Ridley Chapel, Buwalasi College
5.
Newspaper clippings: a. b. c. d.
Church of England Newspaper, 6th May 1932 East Africa 26th May 1932 East Africa 15th March 1934 Church of England Newspaper March 1934
6.
Christmas card from the Bishop of the Upper Nile with Ridley Chapel window on front cover, 1933
7.
Correspondence with Church Missionary Society 1929-30
8.
Correspondence with Ridley Council 1930
9.
Correspondence and reports Buwalasi 1934-1950
10. Correspondence and reports Buwalasi 1957- 1970 11. Buwalasi photograph album 12. Upper Nile Diocesan Association membership card, Revd Paul Gibson, 1930
The Need for a New College In 1926 the new Diocese of the Upper Nile had been created by joining almost the whole of the Eastern Province of the Diocese of Uganda to a portion of the Sudan. The few African clergy in the southern part of the new Diocese, the Elgon area, had all been trained outside it. Given the size of the diocese, more school teachers and clergy were needed, and it was decided that a new Diocesan Training College should be built. The Revd Edward Bull (Ridley 1927–29), who was the Principal of Nabumali High School in 1931, was designated as Principal of the new college, and Mr Keir Hett was chosen as the architect. Around £8,000 was needed to pay for the college buildings as a whole, and money was raised both in England and in Africa. Ridley Hall’s 50th Jubilee took place in 1929, and in 1930 Ridley decided to dedicate the proceeds of its Jubilee Fund to Buwalasi, aiming at raising a total of £5,000, which would pay for the building of the chapel and also fund the Principal’s salary.
13. ‘Buwalasi College’ booklet by Ven H. Mathers, Revd. S. J. Berry, Revd. W. H. Macartney and Om P. Kaumi, 1939 14. ‘Worship and Service’, Buwalasi College magazine December 1939 15. ‘The Church on the Upper Nile’ booklet February 1944 16. ‘Elgon Waiting’, A Story of Wonderful Growth’ by Ven. H. Mathers 17. ‘New Life in Elgon’ booklet by Ven. H. Mathers
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Ridley Hall Archives, Cambridge, 2013
Breaking Ground The ground-breaking ceremony for the Ridley Chapel took place in 1931. A cheque for £3,600 was dedicated at a special service in Ridley Hall Chapel in Cambridge on Commemoration Day, 28th January, 1933. £2,500 was designated to be invested towards the salary of the Principal of Buwalasi and £1,000 towards the building of the chapel, plus £100 for its furnishing. By May that year the list of subscribers had over 320 names and had reached £3,800 with £1,000 promised in a will.
The Ridley Chapel, Buwalasi
The stone bore the following inscription: To the glory of God, and for the building up of his Church, This stone was laid by The Rt Rev. J. J. Willis O.B.E. D.D., Bishop of Uganda, April 14th 1932.
The service was conducted in Luganda. Ridley Hall, Cambridge sent a cable to show that they were present in spirit. The Church of England Newspaper of 6th May 1932 commented that: The co-operation between all sections of the community was very encouraging and clearly evidenced at the stone laying. Government servants had supervised in their spare time the grading of the road to the top of the Buwalasi plateau, the laying out of the buildings and the supervision of their erection... in particular one had guided the technical students of the Government School in engraving the foundation stone itself.
Breaking the ground of the Ridley Chapel, Buwalasi, 1931
The Laying of the Foundation Stone The foundation stone of Buwalasi College was laid on 14th April 1932. The Bishop of the Upper Nile, the Rt Revd Arthur Kitching (Ridley 1898–99), paid a ‘warm tribute’ to the help of Ridley Hall. The Bishop of Uganda, The Rt Revd John Willis (Ridley 1894–95), laid the foundation stone, placing underneath it a New Testament in which was contained the signatures of all the clergy present, a postage stamp, an East African shilling and one cent. 2
Deacons’ houses
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Ridley Hall Archives, Cambridge, 2013
Breaking Ground The ground-breaking ceremony for the Ridley Chapel took place in 1931. A cheque for £3,600 was dedicated at a special service in Ridley Hall Chapel in Cambridge on Commemoration Day, 28th January, 1933. £2,500 was designated to be invested towards the salary of the Principal of Buwalasi and £1,000 towards the building of the chapel, plus £100 for its furnishing. By May that year the list of subscribers had over 320 names and had reached £3,800 with £1,000 promised in a will.
The Ridley Chapel, Buwalasi
The stone bore the following inscription: To the glory of God, and for the building up of his Church, This stone was laid by The Rt Rev. J. J. Willis O.B.E. D.D., Bishop of Uganda, April 14th 1932.
The service was conducted in Luganda. Ridley Hall, Cambridge sent a cable to show that they were present in spirit. The Church of England Newspaper of 6th May 1932 commented that: The co-operation between all sections of the community was very encouraging and clearly evidenced at the stone laying. Government servants had supervised in their spare time the grading of the road to the top of the Buwalasi plateau, the laying out of the buildings and the supervision of their erection... in particular one had guided the technical students of the Government School in engraving the foundation stone itself.
Breaking the ground of the Ridley Chapel, Buwalasi, 1931
The Laying of the Foundation Stone The foundation stone of Buwalasi College was laid on 14th April 1932. The Bishop of the Upper Nile, the Rt Revd Arthur Kitching (Ridley 1898–99), paid a ‘warm tribute’ to the help of Ridley Hall. The Bishop of Uganda, The Rt Revd John Willis (Ridley 1894–95), laid the foundation stone, placing underneath it a New Testament in which was contained the signatures of all the clergy present, a postage stamp, an East African shilling and one cent. 2
Deacons’ houses
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Ridley Hall Archives, Cambridge, 2013
The Consecration of the Chapel The opening of the College and the consecration of the Ridley Chapel by the Rt Revd Arthur Kitching took place on 2nd March 1934. Two other old Ridleian Bishops, the Bishop of Croydon (Rt Revd Edward Woods, Ridley 1900–01) and the new Bishop of Uganda (Rt Revd Cyril Stuart, Ridley 1919) were present. The Bishop of Croydon preached the sermon, assuring the congregaBishop of Uganda, Bishop of the tion that ‘At Ridley they are thinkUpper Nile, Bishop of Croydon ing and praying for us today’. He touched on the qualities of faith and loyalty needed in ‘ambassadors of Christ’, remarking that I have been very pleased to see how keen people here are on football. There is much to learn from this game, especially from the way in which members all play for the team and not for themselves. You want that spirit in the whole of the Church and throughout this College.
The Ridley Chapel, Buwalasi
He finished: In one of the prayers we have prayed that the Joy of the Lord might fill and be about this place. In that spirit let us go forward in to the future, believing that God has great things in store for His Church and this land.
The Revd Edward Bull writes that just one week prior to the consecration, there had been no floor down, no windows, only 12 pews finished, scarcely any furniture or fittings ready, the walls still required plastering, and one end of the roof was not finished as the clock had not arrived from England. The building was only just finished in time, thanks greatly to the efforts of the Sikh foreman. Bull describes the consecration in detail: Three knocks on the door; the keys handed to the Bishop: ‘Peace be to this house’ and the procession entered as the congregation sang the 24th Psalm. The keys were laid upon the Holy Table and, kneeling, we all sang the ‘Veni Creator’, after which the Bishop prayed that the Presence of God might always be with us in the Chapel...
He added that the Holy Table was made at the Technical School nearby and the pulpit at Nabumali High School. There are other furnishings to be made, and it is a great joy to know that the funds for these have been provided by an old Ridleian who wishes to remain anonymous. 4
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Ridley Hall Archives, Cambridge, 2013
The Consecration of the Chapel The opening of the College and the consecration of the Ridley Chapel by the Rt Revd Arthur Kitching took place on 2nd March 1934. Two other old Ridleian Bishops, the Bishop of Croydon (Rt Revd Edward Woods, Ridley 1900–01) and the new Bishop of Uganda (Rt Revd Cyril Stuart, Ridley 1919) were present. The Bishop of Croydon preached the sermon, assuring the congregaBishop of Uganda, Bishop of the tion that ‘At Ridley they are thinkUpper Nile, Bishop of Croydon ing and praying for us today’. He touched on the qualities of faith and loyalty needed in ‘ambassadors of Christ’, remarking that I have been very pleased to see how keen people here are on football. There is much to learn from this game, especially from the way in which members all play for the team and not for themselves. You want that spirit in the whole of the Church and throughout this College.
The Ridley Chapel, Buwalasi
He finished: In one of the prayers we have prayed that the Joy of the Lord might fill and be about this place. In that spirit let us go forward in to the future, believing that God has great things in store for His Church and this land.
The Revd Edward Bull writes that just one week prior to the consecration, there had been no floor down, no windows, only 12 pews finished, scarcely any furniture or fittings ready, the walls still required plastering, and one end of the roof was not finished as the clock had not arrived from England. The building was only just finished in time, thanks greatly to the efforts of the Sikh foreman. Bull describes the consecration in detail: Three knocks on the door; the keys handed to the Bishop: ‘Peace be to this house’ and the procession entered as the congregation sang the 24th Psalm. The keys were laid upon the Holy Table and, kneeling, we all sang the ‘Veni Creator’, after which the Bishop prayed that the Presence of God might always be with us in the Chapel...
He added that the Holy Table was made at the Technical School nearby and the pulpit at Nabumali High School. There are other furnishings to be made, and it is a great joy to know that the funds for these have been provided by an old Ridleian who wishes to remain anonymous. 4
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Ridley Hall Archives, Cambridge, 2013
The Ridley Chapel, Buwalasi
The Ridley Chapel Windows At the same time as the consecration in Uganda, a special service was held in Ridley Hall chapel in Cambridge, at which the same order of service was used. At this service a picture of the stained glass windows of the Buwalasi chapel was placed in the antechapel at Ridley ‘as a visible link with the Daughter College, and a continual reminder of the privilege of mutual prayer and spiritual support’. It now hangs in the student common room. The windows depict on the on the left side the arms of Ridley Hall and on the right side the arms of the Upper Nile Diocese. The central panel of Christ with three Apostles and Philip the Evangelist of Africa is flanked by on the left, Balthazar, the traditionally African ‘Wise Man’ and on the right the Ugandan saint Apolo Kivebulaya.
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Ridley Hall Archives, Cambridge, 2013
The Ridley Chapel, Buwalasi
The Ridley Chapel Windows At the same time as the consecration in Uganda, a special service was held in Ridley Hall chapel in Cambridge, at which the same order of service was used. At this service a picture of the stained glass windows of the Buwalasi chapel was placed in the antechapel at Ridley ‘as a visible link with the Daughter College, and a continual reminder of the privilege of mutual prayer and spiritual support’. It now hangs in the student common room. The windows depict on the on the left side the arms of Ridley Hall and on the right side the arms of the Upper Nile Diocese. The central panel of Christ with three Apostles and Philip the Evangelist of Africa is flanked by on the left, Balthazar, the traditionally African ‘Wise Man’ and on the right the Ugandan saint Apolo Kivebulaya.
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Ridley Hall Archives, Cambridge, 2013
The College’s First Years
Ridley’s fourth Principal, J.P.S.R. (Paul) Gibson left Ridley in 1945 to go to Uganda as Diocesan Missioner. On leaving he noted in the 1945 issue of The Battlement that ‘we shall take your loving greetings to Buwalasi’.
Seven ordinands were ordained to the diaconate in 1939, while 27 lay readers and more than 100 catechists had been trained in the period since the college had opened. A booklet on the College in the Ridley Archives contains these statements from two of the early ordinands: I come from the Patiko clan in Acholi. My father and mother were pagan. I began to hear the word of God from my aunt, who had married a teacher, and became a Christian in 1916. I have spent twenty-one years preaching the Gospel of God as a layman. In 1926 I married, and my wife has the same idea as mine, to preach the Gospel among our people. I hope to be ordained so that we may
Senior Student, 1940
explain that ... they may live safely, without fear.
Ordination of the Revd S. Tomusange in the Ridley Chapel
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The Ridley Chapel, Buwalasi
My mother wanted me to keep on hoeing [digging] and herding and prevent me to attend the church... I escaped… without the native ministers, Christianity cannot develop.
Architect’s sketch
In a report from Buwalasi in The Battlement of 1947 The Revd Samuel Berry (Ridley 1930-32), then Buwalasi’s Principal, wrote that: On 1st December [1946] twelve Buwalasi men were ordained, some of them the first representatives of their particular tribes, and the total of Buwalasi ordinands is thus brought up to 32... Work in the surrounding villages is always going on.
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My ambition for Buwalasi is that it shall be a centre of learning, still more a centre of fellowship, above all else that it shall stand for power, that God’s power of self-sacrificial love shall radiate from it. Rt Revd A.L. Kitching, Bishop of the Upper Nile, 1939
God of ever developing life, accept our praise that Ridley Hall has found fruition in its daughter college at Buwalasi, and grant that all those things we ask for ourselves may be vouchsafed unto them, to the enlarging of our vision, the deepening of our fellowship, and the advance of thy ever growing kingdom, through Jesus Christ our Saviour. Amen. Revd Paul Gibson, Principal Ridley Hall 1927-45; Prayer for Buwalasi
Ridley Hall Archives, Cambridge, 2013
The College’s First Years
Ridley’s fourth Principal, J.P.S.R. (Paul) Gibson left Ridley in 1945 to go to Uganda as Diocesan Missioner. On leaving he noted in the 1945 issue of The Battlement that ‘we shall take your loving greetings to Buwalasi’.
Seven ordinands were ordained to the diaconate in 1939, while 27 lay readers and more than 100 catechists had been trained in the period since the college had opened. A booklet on the College in the Ridley Archives contains these statements from two of the early ordinands: I come from the Patiko clan in Acholi. My father and mother were pagan. I began to hear the word of God from my aunt, who had married a teacher, and became a Christian in 1916. I have spent twenty-one years preaching the Gospel of God as a layman. In 1926 I married, and my wife has the same idea as mine, to preach the Gospel among our people. I hope to be ordained so that we may
Senior Student, 1940
explain that ... they may live safely, without fear.
Ordination of the Revd S. Tomusange in the Ridley Chapel
8
The Ridley Chapel, Buwalasi
My mother wanted me to keep on hoeing [digging] and herding and prevent me to attend the church... I escaped… without the native ministers, Christianity cannot develop.
Architect’s sketch
In a report from Buwalasi in The Battlement of 1947 The Revd Samuel Berry (Ridley 1930-32), then Buwalasi’s Principal, wrote that: On 1st December [1946] twelve Buwalasi men were ordained, some of them the first representatives of their particular tribes, and the total of Buwalasi ordinands is thus brought up to 32... Work in the surrounding villages is always going on.
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