THE heavenly brilliance of a new county chapel has won more plaudits after being recognised by the National Churches Trust.

The Bishop Edward King Chapel at Ripon College, Cuddesdon, came fourth in a contest run by the charity.

The £2m beech and ash wood chapel, designed by Niall McLaughlin Architects, opened in February.

It is a haven of spirituality for the college, which trains men and women for ordination in the Church of England.

The judges said the chapel is “a treat to look at, architecturally elegant, with a lovely intimate reflective interior”.

It is the latest honour for the chapel. Last month, it won the 2013 Building Project of the Year award in the British Construction Industry Awards. It was also shortlisted this year for the prestigious Royal Institute of British Architects’ Stirling Prize.

More than 200 churches were nominated by the public, parishes and architects.

Ripon College development director Sophie Farrant said: “Having only been completed earlier this year, we are delighted that the Edward King Chapel has been nominated for this award with so many architecturally significant church buildings from the last 60 years.

“The Chapel is an extraordinary building and its beauty, elegance, grace, practicality and light has given us an inspirational place of worship that will affect generations to come.”

In July, Lord Patten – Chancellor of Oxford University and Chairman of the BBC Trust – chose the chapel as his favourite place of worship. He praised its “wonderful views over rolling Oxfordshire countryside”.

He said: “From the outside it looks a little like a drum or an upturned boat. Inside, it is beautifully light with the sunlight creating wonderful effects on the stone and furniture made from ash. It is a real little gem.”