So they set their resident hobby expert, George Dellapina, to work on a huge Ecclesiarchal Chapel. Click on each of the images of the chapel for a larger picture of his handywork.

CONSTRUCTION
George wanted to break away from the constraints of the boxed shaped buildings that make up so much of wargames terrain. Inspired by the grand scale of architecture that is shown in the artwork in the Warhammer 40,000 rulebooks, he decided on a far grander piece that could be assembled in a number of different configurations using seperate wings and accessories that could be added to or removed from the central building - a massive Ecclesiarchal chapel.

George sketched out the dimensions of the chapel and cut out the basic shapes from hard foamboard. The details that went into giving the chapel more of the character of the Ecclesiarchy came from a variety of sources. The bulkheads were specially cast from a master that George made from plasticard and plastic rod, railings were added from one of the components from the Empire Steam Tank, and George also made use of a number of the new vehicle upgrade sprues that come with the Sisters of Battle vehicle kits.

To give the finished piece of scenery greater utility and variety, George constructed two wings that could be fitted to either side of the main chapel building. Gothic windows were added to these by carefully cutting them out of the Necromunda Bulkhead sprue. Pillars were added to the specially cast bulkheads with balsa wood. The ornate spines added to the top of the pillars come from the Warhammer Siege Battering Ram. The ramparts of the wings were given the appearance of corrugated iron using textured plastic card bought from a modelling shop.

With the wings of the chapel constructed, George began work on the main chapel building, starting with the main entrance.

The archway was constructed from foamboard again, with slender pillars added using balsa rod. The small relics from a Sisters of Battle Vehicle sprue were also added around the main entrance - perhaps they contain the hallowed remains of some of the more prominent preachers, clerics and Battle Sisters who had fought and died in defence of the chapel. The inside of the archway was given some extra reinforcement and definition with the addition of some shaped balsa wood strips.

 

A shrine was constructed to sit on the top of the main chapel building, giving it more height and features of interest. Statues were added to the outside of the shrine made from a specially cast master of a praying monk, but the same effect could be achieved by using an appropriate model from the Witch Hunters or Bretonnian ranges.

At each side of the main entrance is a large picture window, which, once the chapel is finished, will help to display a statue of a prominant Ecclesiarchal hero. Gargoyles were added to the top of the balsa wood pillars and these were taken from the Mordheim Building sprue.

Rivets were also added to the window frames using plastic rod.

Although the chapel is already looking impressive, George has many more features that he wishes to add to it before it is finished. In the next part of this article we will show you how he added sentry guns to the sides and front of the chapel; a lectern for a zealous Ecclesiarchal Priest to stand at as he declaims the Imperial Creed to his congregation; stained glass to the windows and statues to stand inside the building. He also promises that the building will have working lights and, of course, a great paint job!

Next: Painting and Adding Details to the Chapel.