Church Army Chapel, Blackheath facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Church Army Chapel, Blackheath |
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Drawing by E.T. Spashett
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| General information | |
| Architectural style | Modern |
| Town or city | Greenwich, Greater London |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Construction started | 1964 |
| Completed | 1965 |
| Cost | £250,000 (whole site) |
| Client | Church Army |
| Technical details | |
| Structural system | Saddle roof and sectional aluminium spire |
| Design and construction | |
| Architect | Ernest Trevor Spashett ARIBA (1923–94) |
| Structural engineer | Woodgate (Blackheath) Ltd, Montpelier-vale, Blackheath |
The Church Army Chapel in Blackheath, London, is a special building with a unique history. It was designed by architect E.T. Spashett and opened in 1965. Princess Alexandra and Michael Ramsey, a very important church leader, were there for the opening.
This chapel is known for being one of the first modern chapels from the 1900s to have its main altar in the middle. It also once had the tallest spire made of aluminium at the time! Today, the chapel is part of Blackheath High School.
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A Special Building
The chapel is officially recognized by Greenwich Council as a building of "outstanding architectural significance." This means it's a very important and well-designed building. It's described as a "modern building of unusual design" with a "striking gull wing upper roof."
When it first opened in 1965, with its tall spire, people thought it was a "showpiece of modern architecture." Sadly, the spire was removed later. Because the spire was gone, experts in 1999 couldn't fully understand its original design.
How the Chapel Was Designed
The Church Army usually does outreach work, helping people in communities. They don't often have their own chapels. But this chapel was built as part of their training college in Blackheath.
The Amazing Spire
The spire was a key part of the chapel's design. It was a very tall, thin, hollow cone made of aluminium. Aluminium was chosen because it's light and strong, like the metal used in aeroplanes. The architect used to be in the Royal Air Force, so he knew about this.
The spire was made of several sections that fit together, getting smaller towards the top. It looked a bit like an old-fashioned brass telescope. At the very top, a small cross-piece looked like the handle of a sword. This was a symbol for the Church Army, reminding people of the idea of being a "good soldier of Christ" from the Bible.
The Building's Unique Look
When the chapel opened in 1965, it was described as being planned for "modern conceptions of worship." This meant people could gather around the communion table, with the leader facing them.
The roof is shaped like a "hyperbolic paraboloid," which looks like a saddle. It's made of thin layers of wood and is supported by two strong buttresses (supports). The tall, narrow windows go from the floor to the roof. They are separated by concrete pillars. These pillars make the roof look like it's floating when you look up!
The Saddle Roof
The architect was inspired by famous architect Le Corbusier and his ideas about design, including saddle roofs. The chapel's roof is a saddle roof, which means it has a curved shape but can be built using straight beams. This is a clever way to build a curved roof.
Inside the Chapel
Inside, there's a blue glass window on the east side shaped like a cross. This cross shape was also meant to look like a sword, just like the original spire. The whole design was inspired by a painting called The Vigil by John Pettie.
In the painting, a young squire prays all night before becoming a knight. The morning light shines through a window onto him and his sword. In the chapel, a blue light is designed to shine like a cross or sword onto the central altar from the east side. The tall, rectangular windows inside the chapel were inspired by the shadowy pillars in the background of the painting.
Chapel History
Opening Day
The first stone for the chapel was laid in March 1964. The chapel was part of the Church Army Wilson Carlile Training College. Princess Alexandra officially opened it on May 6, 1965. The Archbishop of Canterbury, Michael Ramsey, was also there to dedicate the chapel.
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Print of the chapel showing part of spire, 1965
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South view, 2009, with missing spire drawn onto image
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North view, 2009
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West view, 2009
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Interior, 2009, looking south-east
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Interior, 2009, looking east (blue glass window blocked outside)
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South-east and east views, 2009, showing roof curve and spire fixing plate.
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Pews and west-end altar in chapel, 1965
The Architect: E. T. Spashett
Ernest Trevor Spashett (1923–1994) was the architect who designed the Church Army Chapel. He served in the Royal Air Force before becoming an architect. Even at 16, he helped design the Guildhall in St Ives!
After World War II, he helped repair buildings in London that were damaged by bombs. He worked on famous places like Alexandra Palace and Clarence House. He even designed a special ramp for Osterley House that became a fun (but sometimes dangerous!) racetrack for airmen in wheelchairs.
Later, he specialized in designing and restoring churches. He worked for different councils, designing homes, schools, and hospitals. He was a consultant architect for the Benedictine monks and designed a large, golden, cross-shaped window for Gorton Monastery in Manchester. This window would cast a golden cross reflection onto the road outside!
Who Owned the Chapel?
The Church Army first owned the chapel for their Wilson Carlile Training College. In the early 1990s, the college moved to a different city. In 1994, the buildings were sold to Blackheath High School. Since then, the chapel has been used by the school as a music room and dance studio.
The Training College Site
The chapel was built as part of a larger college campus in 1965. It was designed to be on the south side of an open, central courtyard. The campus also included a large dormitory building. The college had rooms for 72 students, plus flats for married students. It also had lecture rooms, a library, and common rooms. The grounds were large, with lawns and an area for tennis and netball.
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Dormitory block being built, 1965
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West end of former dormitory block in 2009
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Staircase in dormitory block in 2009
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Staircase in dormitory block in 2009
Images for kids
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The chapel's saddle roof is a hyperbolic paraboloid, which means it can be built with straight beams.
