Chapel of the Rose
The Noble Company of the Rose, a dependency of The Augustan Society, Inc., has dedicated itself to the construction and maintenance of a Chapel of the Rose under the oversight of the Superintendent of the Chapel.
Historically, the Chapel has been located within Society Headquarters, although there is no obligation that it be located there.
The Chapel is to be a non-denominational facility, enabling the broadest possible utility. To date, this has included only Christian denominations, and that is likely to continue until and unless a Knight or Dame of the Company requests otherwise. While previously unthinkable, the Society now recognizes at least one Islamic Order, thus the potential exists for some remarkable innovation at some point in the future.
Historically, the Chapel has included shrines to various saints, particularly those for whom Orders of Chivalry have been named. These were generally funded by the members of each Order, and not by the Chapel or the Noble Company.
As Headquarters has always been short on space, it has been customary to have non-religious events in the same room, and even to shelve parts of the Library collection there. It is expected that this need will continue.
When a Chapel exists, the Superintendent of the Chapel is responsible for event scheduling, furnishings and decorations, management (but not funding) of various shrines, and fundraising to support maintenance and the Chapel's pro-rated share of Headquarters operating expenses.
Should the Noble Company fail in its financial obligations to the Society, Consuls may assess the Noble Company's various funds, and the Board may increase the Noble Company's dues and entry fee. One would hope that the Council of the Noble Company would work hard to avoid these events.
At times when there is no Headquarters in which a Chapel might be established. The Superintendent of the Chapel becomes a minor office (outside his service on the Council of the Noble Company. It does not become inactive, however, as that officer is still responsible for determining the cost of furnishing the next Chapel, and in amassing the funds (and artifacts) needed to complete it.
