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| In 1844 Pugin was asked to design a chapel for St. Edmund's College by Bishop Thomas Griffiths. The work was completed in 1853 a year after his death it was then consecrated by Cardinal Wiseman. The college was founded in Douai, France 29th September 1568, as an English College for boys and Priests, (Pugin subsequently called the main college buildings at Ware a priest factory). In 1793 it was forced out of France by the Revolution, the students eventually merged with Old Hall Green Academy in Herts. Finally emerging as we see it today as a thriving Catholic co-educational establishment in Ware. |
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| The most stunning part of the chapel is the Rood screen, Pugin used one in Bavaria as a model for his design. It is thought to be the most beautiful one of its kind. The seven double arches are supported by slender columns made from Caen stone, the wood is Riga oak. Pugin rubbed up against William George Ward Professor of Theology at the college, who donated a large organ to the chapel and who thought it would go in the rood loft. Pugin was horrified especially adding insult to injury, he was asked to build a staircase to accomodate Ward and his family, he did build one but it was small and narrow! Pugin was also commissioned to build a house for Ward in the grounds of the college (now altered). | 
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| Once through the screen the chapel is delightful either side of the aisle are bays of oak pews, going up to the sanctuary. Good tiles on the floor still retaining excellent colour, above the altar is the east window at over 30 foot high with lovely tracery it is quite a sight. The altar is white carved stone with four thin marble pillars at the ends of the reredos, and a stone tabernacle. The sanctuary ceiling is painted to Pugins' design. As with other commissions the money began to run out on the death of Bishop Griffiths, possibly the interior of the chapel would have been more lavishly decorated. | 
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