CES Chapel by JJP Architects & Planners

A Contemporary Chapel Inspired by Tradition

The CES Chapel, designed by JJP Architects & Planners, serves as the spiritual heart of the China Evangelical Graduate School of Theology (CEGST) in Bade, Taoyuan. Completed in 2020, the chapel is conceived not only as a sacred place for worship but also as the circulatory core of the campus, seamlessly connecting the entrance plaza, academic buildings, library, canteen, and dormitories.

With a seating capacity of 750, expandable to nearly 1,000 through its double-height atrium, the CES Chapel embodies both functionality and symbolism. Its design establishes a dialogue between traditional Gothic cathedral elements and modern architectural innovation, creating an atmosphere of serenity, spirituality, and inclusivity.

Architectural Composition and Spatial Journey

The chapel’s architecture unfolds as a carefully measured sequence of three interconnected spaces:

1. The Lobby – a welcoming gathering space for the community before and after services.
2. The Nave – a 20m x 20m column-free worship hall, designed as an intimate and contemplative environment.
3. The Apse – a monolithic and spiritual sanctuary, symbolizing sacredness and divine presence.

This spatial order creates a progressive ceremonial journey, guiding worshippers from communal interaction to deep spiritual reflection.

Structural Elegance: Modern Gothic Inspiration

The nave draws inspiration from Gothic ribbed vaults. Utilizing steel columns, long-span diagrid slabs, and soaring arches, the architects created a continuous vaulted ceiling that echoes historical precedents while embracing modern structural techniques.

Between the structural ribs, articulated wooden panels integrate acoustic treatment and air-conditioning systems, blending functionality with warmth. The result is a space where engineering, spirituality, and materiality coalesce harmoniously.

The Apse: A Monumental Symbol

In contrast, the apse is deliberately stark and monumental, clad in warm natural granite. Its defining feature is a cross-shaped opening that allows daylight to pierce the stone wall, creating a powerful visual of light breaking through rock. This gesture embodies the biblical passage: “I am the light of the world.”

The absence of ornamentation emphasizes the cross as the sole religious symbol, reinforcing the purity and sacrednessof the space.

Light as a Spiritual Medium

Daylight is a central element in the CES Chapel’s design. The clerestory windows diffuse light into the nave, while the east-facing façade allows morning light to project a glowing cross deep into the chapel. This interplay of natural illumination and shadow transforms the interior throughout the day, evoking a constantly renewing sense of divinity and transcendence.

A Campus Heart and Community Landmark

Beyond its architectural beauty, the CES Chapel is the spiritual anchor of the CEGST campus. By offering a contemporary interpretation of sacred architecture, JJP Architects & Planners created a chapel that resonates with both tradition and modernity, making it a landmark of worship, culture, and education in northern Taiwan.

All the photographs are works of Shawn Liu, Vesper W.S. Hsieh