Image of Chapel Community standing at the top of the tower

Chapel Community

The Chapel serves a thriving community, both in its worship and in events held throughout the term. Activities organised by the Chapel include discussion groups, countryside walks, pub nights, talks and trips. For full details of this term's events, please consult the Chapel Card. To join the Chapel mailing list, which receives weekly emails in term time, please contact the Associate Chaplain, Lyndon Webb.

You can also follow us on Facebook and Twitter.

Merton College is proud to be a diverse community and Merton Chapel is proud to be an inclusive space. We follow the example of Jesus, who welcomed and nurtured people of all backgrounds and in all situations in life. Our commitment is to share his love with everyone, regardless of age, belief or non-belief, disability, economic power, ethnicity, gender identity, immigration status, learning disability, mental health, neurodiversity, sex, sexuality or any other characteristic. You are warmly welcome to join us for prayer and worship, to enjoy the music, or to use the Chapel as a place of stillness. Please let us know if we can make your experience easier in any way.

Book group

The book group meets on Tuesdays from 1st to 8th Week each term. The group brings students and staff from across the College together to discuss a new book each term. 

Merton Faith Forum

A relaxed and open space in which to discuss issues of faith, doubt, unbelief, and everything in between. Perhaps you are someone who never thought about faith or deeper questions of life, purpose, or spirituality before, or maybe you are someone raised in a deeply religious household. Wherever you find yourself, if you would be interested in getting together with others to think about what faith might look like in our world today, this group is for you. All are welcome. Let Lyndon Webb know if you are interested.

Merton Conversations in Faith and Culture
Padraig O Tuama


Each year, the Chapel organises a number of talks as part of the ongoing series, Merton Conversations in Faith and Culture. These talks seek to foster dialogue about life's biggest issues and questions by providing an opportunity for people to engage with leading experts in a relaxed environment. At our most recent talk, in Hilary Term 2019, Dr Michael Burdett (University of Nottingham) spoke on the topic: 'Being Human in an Age of Technology: The Ethics of Artificial Intelligence'.

Other speakers have included Pádraig Ó Tuama, on poetry as prayer; Revd Dr Christina Beardsley, talking about her life as a trans woman and priest; author, theologian and human rights activist, Revd Dr Timothy Radcliffe OP, asking 'The Holiness of the Body'; Revd Professor Alistair McGrath, speaking on 'Science and Faith: Exploring a Complex Relationship'; and Dr Jonathan Jong (Oxford University Institute for Cognitive and Evolutionary Anthropology) on 'Is there such a thing as a good death?'.

  • Videos of past talks can be found on Merton's Vimeo page.