King's Chapel, Gibraltar facts for kids
Quick facts for kids King's Chapel |
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Inside King's Chapel, Gibraltar
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| 36°08′14″N 5°21′12″W / 36.13727°N 5.353319°W | |
| Location | Main Street |
| Country |  Gibraltar |
| Denomination | Church of England (1728-present) Catholic Church (1530s-1728) |
| History | |
| Status | Chapel |
| Founded | 1530s |
| Architecture | |
| Functional status | Active |
| Architect(s) | Various |
| Architectural type | Mixed |
| Style | Mixed |
King's Chapel is a small chapel in the British territory of Gibraltar. It is found at the southern end of Main Street. The chapel is right next to The Convent, which is where the Governor of Gibraltar lives. King's Chapel was the very first church built specifically as a church in Gibraltar.
It was first built in the 1530s as part of a Franciscan friary (a type of monastery). After the British captured Gibraltar in 1704, the chapel was given to the Church of England. It was damaged twice, once during the Great Siege of Gibraltar in the late 1700s, and again in 1951 by an explosion. Both times, it was repaired. From 1844 to 1990, it was the main church for the British Army in Gibraltar. Now, it is used by all three parts of the British Armed Forces.
Contents
History of King's Chapel
Early Beginnings
After Castile took Gibraltar from the Moors in 1462, Franciscan friars came to the city. They built a friary and a church there. While two other churches already existed, they were originally mosques that had been changed into Christian churches. So, the Franciscans' church was the first completely new church built in Gibraltar.
British Takeover
In 1704, forces from Great Britain and the Dutch Republic captured Gibraltar during a war. The new British Governor took over the friary, which became known as The Convent. It is still used as the Governor's home today. The Franciscan church was given to the Church of England and was renamed "The King's Chapel".
It was the only religious building that stayed open for services after the British took over. A writer named Francis Carter noted in 1771 that "The Church of the Convent is kept open for Divine Service, and the only one in the town." Other chapels had been turned into storage places.
Damage During the Great Siege
The chapel was badly affected by the Great Siege of Gibraltar (1779–83). Like many other buildings, it was used to shelter soldiers and supplies. Spanish attacks caused a lot of damage. The chapel's western end and south side were destroyed by enemy fire.
These parts were rebuilt after the siege, but not in their original shape. The western end and south side became part of the Governor's residence. The chapel today is only the eastern half of the original church. Before the attacks, the chapel also lost its belfry. It was taken down in September 1779 so Spanish gunners could not use it as a target. The chapel's bell was not returned until 1995.
Reopening and Growth
The chapel likely reopened in 1788. The Governor, his staff, and other civilians attended services there every Sunday. A military band played music for the singing. However, the chapel was too small for the rest of the soldiers. They held their services outdoors in what is now John Mackintosh Square.
By the 1820s, the chapel was also too small for Gibraltar's growing civilian Anglican community. Andrew Bigelow visited in 1827 and described it as "quite an ordinary accommodation." He noted that there was no bell. Instead, drums and fifes from a band announced when service began.
A New Purpose
The chapel was replaced for general use by the Cathedral of the Holy Trinity, which was finished in 1832. For a short time, King's Chapel became the Governor's private chapel. In 1833, an order came from London to close King's Chapel. This caused strong protests in Gibraltar.
The chapel got a new life in 1844 when it was repaired by the Royal Engineers. It cost £340 to fix. It was reopened as an extra place of worship for Gibraltar's civilians. This was because so many military people were using the Cathedral of the Holy Trinity that there was not enough room for everyone else.
Changes Over Time
The chapel's name changed to the Queen's Chapel when Queen Victoria was on the throne. But it went back to King's Chapel after her death. It stayed King's Chapel even when Elizabeth II became Queen in 1952.
King's Chapel was repaired again in 1877. New stained glass windows were put in. In 1887, an organ was installed. The chapel survived both World Wars without damage. However, it was badly damaged on April 27, 1951. This happened when the RFA Bedenham, an ammunition ship, exploded in Gibraltar's harbour. The explosion destroyed the chapel's ceiling and all its stained glass.
Restoration and Current Use
The chapel was restored after the 1951 explosion. New stained glass windows were put in during 1952. The window in the north shows King George VI. The window in the east wall shows Christ surrounded by angels. Below this, the crucifixion is shown, with the Virgin Mary and Saint Bernard, Gibraltar's patron saint, on either side.
Other parts of the window show people from the British Armed Forces and the Franciscan Order. They also show the capture of Gibraltar in 1704, Saint George, the Royal Arms, and the crest of the British Army. The chapel holds many memorials for members of the British Armed Forces. It also has the tombs and memorials of several governors and their wives.
Today, the chapel is used by the Army, Royal Navy, and Royal Air Force. Before 1990, each service used a different church. Now, a Royal Navy chaplain is based at King's Chapel. This chaplain provides religious support to all three services. Roman Catholics also use the chapel for regular services. It is open to the public every day.
Notable Memorials
- Dr John Hennen, a military surgeon and author.
