We Met At King's - 'King's College Chapel is the place we finally met in person. It seemed like the natural place to get married'

Laura and Callum worked as Chaplaincy Assistants at King's College London as they both explored ordained ministry in the Church of England. A King's alum, Laura was encouraged to apply for the role by Tim Ditchfield, the College Chaplain. Callum, who'd studied at Winchester University, was looking for more practical ministry experience and was drawn to King's.

An online meeting of minds

Due to the third COVID lockdown, Laura and Callum initially met online over Microsoft Teams.

Laura tells us: ‘While working at King’s, we’d have a catch-up meeting each week to discuss work. Quite often, though, it would be us chatting for about 50 minutes before finally remembering to talk about work for the remaining five. It was then that we both started to realise that we were falling for each other!’

Fond memories of King’s

Laura and Callum spent a few days working with the AKC (Associate of King’s College London) team, which they particularly enjoyed. This involved helping shortlist AKC ambassadors for the next academic year. As part of this project, they made a video for the Chaplaincy featuring different spaces and people, including the then newly opened Dharmic prayer room.’

The couple also recall a lovely day spent together in August 2021 creating a piece of artwork for the chaplaincy at Denmark Hill, which remains on our campus walls to this day.

On tying the knot

She explains: ‘King’s College Chapel has always been a special place. As a student, I went to the midweek Eucharists and Tuesday Choral Evensongs. Both helped nurture my Christian faith and sense of vocation to the Anglican priesthood, as well as keep a sense of perspective while I was studying and socialising. It reminded me that there are more important things in life than grades and popularity.

‘The Chapel is also the place where Callum and I finally met in person, so it seemed like the most natural place to tie the knot. It is also significant that the Rev'd Tim Ditchfield, the College Chaplain, married us. Tim has played such an important part in my time at King's (both as a student and as a colleague). And we're sure in his almost 30 years of service, he has done the same for many others, too.’

Callum adds: ‘As our relationship has always been long-distance, King’s Chapel is the only church that we both have a connection to. It meant a lot to both of us to get married in a place that has played such a special and significant role in our relationship.’

Life after King’s

After King’s, Callum trained at the College of the Resurrection, Mirfield, and he finished his studies earlier this summer. Laura will be beginning her third and final year at Cranmer Hall, Durham, this September. In 2025, the two hope to be ordained together and begin life as a clergy couple.