Guards' Chapel, Wellington Barracks facts for kids
Quick facts for kids The Guards' Chapel |
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| Alternative names | The Royal Military Chapel |
| General information | |
| Type | Chapel |
| Architectural style | Modernist |
| Town or city | Westminster, London |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Completed | 1963 |
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Listed Building – Grade II*
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| Designated | 9 January 1970 Amended 26 April 2012 |
| Part of | Royal Military chapel and cloister, south of Birdcage Walk, Wellington Barracks |
| Reference no. | 1066441 |
The Guards' Chapel, also known as The Royal Military Chapel, is a special church for the British Army. It is located at the Wellington Barracks in Westminster, London. This chapel is the religious home for the Household Division, a group of important army regiments.
The chapel has a long history, including being rebuilt after a terrible event during World War II. Today, it is a place for worship, remembrance, and even music concerts.
Contents
History of the Guards' Chapel
Early Days and Design
The first chapel on this site was finished in 1838. It was designed to look like an ancient Greek temple. Later, in the 1870s, it was updated and given a new look.
World War II Bombing
During World War II, London was attacked by German bombs. This period was known as the Blitz. The Guards' Chapel was hit and damaged in 1940 and 1941.
A very sad event happened on Sunday, 18 June 1944. A German V-1 flying bomb hit the chapel during a morning church service. A V-1 bomb was an early type of guided missile. The explosion caused the concrete roof to collapse onto the people inside. This tragic event led to 121 people losing their lives. Another 141 people, both soldiers and civilians, were injured.
Rebuilding and Modern Style
After the war, a new chapel was built. It was completed in 1963. The designers used parts of the old chapel's memorials as foundations for the new building. The new chapel was built in a Modernist style. This means it had a very up-to-date and simple design for its time.
In 1970, the building was officially recognized as a Grade II* listed building. This means it is a very important historical building in the United Kingdom.
Remembering and Celebrating
Flanders Fields Memorial Garden
Next to the chapel, you can find the Flanders Fields Memorial Garden. This garden was created to remember the soldiers of the Guards who died in the First World War. Queen Elizabeth II officially opened this special garden in 2014.
Lunchtime Concerts
The Guards' Chapel is not just for military services. It also hosts free lunchtime concerts. These concerts happen on the last Tuesday of every month, except in August. They last about 45 minutes and feature many different kinds of music. It's a great way to enjoy music in a historic setting.
Special Banners
The chapel also holds important historical items. For example, the banner of Field marshal Harold Alexander, 1st Earl Alexander of Tunis is kept here. He was a very important military leader. This banner shows he was part of the Order of the Garter, a very old and important group of knights. His banner was moved to the Guards' Chapel after he passed away in 1969.
