Grosvenor Chapel facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Grosvenor Chapel |
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| Location | London |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Denomination | Church of England |
| Tradition | Anglo-Catholic / Liberal Catholic |
| Architecture | |
| Heritage designation | Grade II* |
| Architect(s) | Benjamin Timbrell |
| Style | Classical |
| Years built | April 1731 |
| Administration | |
| Parish | St George's, Hanover Square |
| Diocese | Diocese of London |
| Division | Deanery of Westminster (St Margaret) |
The Grosvenor Chapel is a special church in London, England. It belongs to the Church of England. This beautiful building was built in the 1730s. You can find it on South Audley Street in an area called Mayfair. The chapel even inspired other churches far away in New England!
Contents
History of the Chapel
The first stone for Grosvenor Chapel was placed on April 7, 1730. A man named Sir Richard Grosvenor, 4th Baronet owned the land. He rented the spot for 99 years to a group of four builders. Benjamin Timbrell, a successful local builder, led this group.
The new church building was finished and ready for use by April 1731. After the 99-year rental period ended in 1829, the chapel became part of the local church system. It served as a "chapel of ease" for St George's, Hanover Square. This meant it helped the main church by offering services to people living nearby.
Many famous people have visited or worshipped at Grosvenor Chapel. These include John Wilkes, a well-known politician, and Lady Mary Wortley Montagu, a writer. The parents of the Duke of Wellington, a famous general, also attended. Even Florence Nightingale, the founder of modern nursing, spent time here. During World War II, American soldiers were welcomed to the chapel. After the war, famous writers like Rose Macaulay and Sir John Betjeman were part of the church community.
About the Building
The Grosvenor Chapel has a simple, classic design. It looks like a plain rectangular box. The side walls have two rows of arched windows. At the front (east end), there's a small section for the communion table. At the back (west end), there's a porch over the sidewalk. A short spire with a clock and bell sits on top. The bell would call people to worship.
This simple style was popular at the time. It was similar to other churches like St Martin in the Fields. Benjamin Timbrell, the builder, had worked on St Martin's. He was skilled enough to design the chapel himself. In 1912–1913, an artist named Ninian Comper added special decorations inside. These additions helped show the chapel's Anglo-Catholic style of worship.
Music at the Chapel
The organ in Grosvenor Chapel has a long history. It was first built by Abraham Jordan in 1732. Sir Richard Grosvenor, 4th Baronet paid for it. Over the years, the organ was changed and rebuilt several times. In 1991, a company called William Drake built a new organ. This new organ was made in a style similar to organs from the 1700s.
You can find details about the organ on the National Pipe Organ Register.
The chapel is known for its excellent music. It has a group of five professional singers and an organist. For special events like Easter, more singers and musicians join them. The choir performs many different types of music. They sing everything from old Renaissance songs to modern pieces.
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East end, Grosvenor Chapel
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West end, Grosvenor Chapel
The chapel also holds free lunchtime concerts. These concerts happen every Tuesday at 1:10 pm.
Chapel Leaders
The main priest at Grosvenor Chapel has had different titles over the years.
- Curates-in-Charge
Before 2006, the senior priest was called the Curate-in-Charge.
- 1941 to 1943: The Revd Cecil Wood
- 1944 to unknown: The Revd G. G. Pearson
- 1968 to 1979: The Revd John Bernard Gaskell
- 1980 to 1992: The Revd Dr Anthony Wendt "Tony" Marks
- 1994 to 2008: The Revd Simon Hobbs
- Priests-in-Charge
Since 2006, the senior priest is known as the Priest-in-Charge.
- 2008 to 2010: The Revd Mark Oakley
- 2012 to present: The Revd Dr Richard Fermer
People Buried Here
Some notable people are buried at Grosvenor Chapel:
