Ilford Hospital Chapel facts for kids
The Hospital Chapel of St Mary the Virgin and St Thomas of Canterbury, Ilford, often called the Ilford Hospital Chapel, is a very old building in Ilford. It started around 1140 as a place to help people in need. This makes it the oldest building in the London Borough of Redbridge! Since 1954, it has been a special protected building, known as a Grade II* listed building, which means it's very important to history.
Contents
History of Ilford Hospital Chapel
The hospital was built on land owned by the Benedictine Abbey of Barking. It was founded during the time of King Stephen by the Abbess Adelicia. She created it as a hospice, which is like a guesthouse or care home, for thirteen people.
Historians aren't sure if it was for old and sick men or for people with leprosy. Abbess Adelicia gave a lot of land and money to the hospital. This included farms, a mill, and part of the income from the church in Barking. The hospital was run by a Prior or Master, and it had two chaplains, who were like priests.
Changes Over the Centuries
In 1173, Mary Becket became the Abbess. She was the sister of Thomas Becket, a famous archbishop who was murdered. Because of her, the chapel was made bigger, and her brother's name was added to its title.
When King Henry VIII closed down many abbeys in 1539, Barking Abbey was dissolved. However, the Ilford Hospital Chapel survived! The people who manage it today believe it survived because it was also used as a public church.
In 1572, Elizabeth I gave the hospital to Thomas Fanshawe. He had to make sure there was a Master, a Chaplain, and support for six poor men. Later, the ownership changed hands several times, eventually going to the Marquess of Salisbury family in 1821.
In 1982, the sixth Marquess gave the foundation to the Diocese of Chelmsford. They set up the Abbess Adelicia Charity, which still manages the chapel today.
Famous Chaplains
Over the years, several interesting people served as chaplains at the hospital. These included:
- Bennet Allen, a writer, in the 1780s.
- James Reynolds, who studied Eastern cultures, from 1837 to 1866.
- Hensley Henson, who later became a Bishop of Durham, from 1895 to 1900.
- W J Sparrow Simpson, who wrote the words for a famous musical piece called The Crucifixion, from 1904 to 1952.
Chapel Structure and Design
The Ilford Hospital Chapel complex includes the chapel itself and almshouses on each side. Almshouses are special homes for poor people. These were once where the poor men and chaplains lived. Today, the almshouses have been turned into modern apartments.
The chapel walls are made of stone covered with cement, and the roofs are tiled. The main parts of the church, called the nave and chancel, were likely rebuilt in the 1300s.
Victorian Era Changes
The building had big restoration efforts in 1889–90. During this time, new parts were added, like the north porch, organ room, and a south aisle. Experts believe the nave was also made longer towards the west.
The chancel, which is about 6.4 meters (21 feet) long and 5 meters (16 feet) wide, has an east window from the early 1400s. This window has three special shaped lights, but it has been heavily repaired. Other details in the chapel are from the 1800s or later.
The nave, about 19.8 meters (65 feet) long and 5 meters (16 feet) wide, has only a few original features. These include two windows from the early 1300s that have also been restored.
Art and Features
The decorative screen behind the altar, called the reredos, was designed by Ninian Comper. The beautiful round window above the west door is thought to be by Henry Holiday. Another window in the west aisle was created by Edward Burne-Jones. An organ was put into the chapel in the early 1900s. The chaplain's house and the almshouses were rebuilt in 1927.
Visiting the Chapel
The chapel holds a midday Communion service every Thursday. If you want to explore the chapel, it has an open day on the second Saturday of each month from March to November. It also takes part in the annual Open House London weekend in September, when many historic buildings are open to the public.
Images for kids
-
Lady Chapel
-
Reredos
-
Window, south aisle
