Robin Chapel facts for kids
Quick facts for kids The Robin Chapel |
|
|---|---|
| Thistle Trust | |
 |
|
| 55°55′54″N 3°07′54″W / 55.93167°N 3.13167°W | |
| Location | Edinburgh EH16 4EA |
| Country | Scotland |
| Denomination | Inter-denominational |
| Churchmanship | Ecumenical |
| Membership | open to all |
| Website | www.robinchapel.org.uk |
| History | |
| Status | Private Chapel |
| Founded | 1950, with the motto, 'at spes non fracta mens mihi regnum'. |
| Founder(s) | Sir Francis Tudsbery & Lady Isabella Tudsbery |
| Dedication | In memory of their only son Robin |
| Dedicated | 1953 |
| Consecrated | 1953 |
| Architecture | |
| Functional status | in use |
| Heritage designation | Category A listed, Historic Environment Scotland |
| Architect(s) | John F Matthew FRIBA |
| Architectural type | Arts and Crafts style |
| Groundbreaking | 1950 |
| Completed | 1953 |
The Robin Chapel is a special Christian church in Edinburgh, Scotland. It's a place where different Christian groups can worship together. The chapel was built to remember Lieutenant Robin Tudsbery. He was a young soldier who sadly died at the end of World War II. You can find the chapel inside the Thistle Foundation, which helps people with disabilities.
Contents
The Chapel's Story
Building a Memorial
The Thistle Foundation is a charity that started in 1944. It was created by Sir Francis and Lady Isabella Tudsbery. They wanted to help soldiers who were hurt in the war. The foundation provided homes and care for these veterans and their families. Today, the charity helps many people with disabilities and health conditions.
In 1950, the first stone was laid for the Robin Chapel. The Tudsberys built this chapel to honor their only son, Robin. He was a 25-year-old lieutenant in the Royal Horse Guards. Robin was killed during the final days of World War II.
The chapel was finished in 1953. It was officially opened with Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother and Princess Margaret there. The Robin Chapel is important for two reasons. It is a war memorial that remembers those who died in war. It is also a special place for "ecumenical worship." This means it brings different Christian churches together.
A Place for All Christians
The chapel's goal is to encourage unity among Christian people. This idea is even written at the start of their service sheet:
'The Robin Chapel is dedicated to the glory of God, and to His service, by all Christians and by all denominations of Christ's Church. Every Service held within the Robin Chapel shall be open accordingly to all Christians of any denomination.'
This shows that everyone is welcome to worship there, no matter their Christian background.
How the Chapel Was Built
Design and Art
The chapel was designed by John F Matthew. He was an architect from the firm Lorimer & Matthew. The building style is called Scottish Arts and Crafts. Many skilled artists and craftspeople worked on the inside of the chapel.
Sadie McLellan created the beautiful stained glass windows. These windows show scenes from a famous book called The Pilgrim's Progress by John Bunyan. The words above the chapel's entrance also come from this book: "Come In, Come In, Eternal Glory Thou Shalt Win."
Special Carvings
The chapel has oak wood panels and choir stalls. These feature carvings of animals and birds. These carvings are a reminder of Robin Tudsbury's love for animals. He also loved the countryside around his family home in West Lothian. Many of these carvings were made by Thomas Good. He also did carvings in St Magnus Cathedral in Kirkwall.
Worship and Visitors
Services and Music
The Robin Chapel holds weekly services called Choral Evensong at 4pm. They also have special services to remember important events in Robin Tudsbury's life. Everyone is welcome to attend these services.
The Chapel Choir sings at the weekly services. This group of adult singers is led by the director of music. They are accompanied by the organ. Because the chapel is ecumenical, ministers from many different Christian churches are invited to preach.
Royal Visits
In July 2013, Her Majesty The Queen visited the chapel. She attended a service to celebrate its sixtieth anniversary. Prince Edward, The Earl of Wessex, was also with her.
On October 4, 2015, a special flag was placed in the Robin Chapel. This was the Sovereign's Standard of The Blues and Royals. It was a special service to honor this important flag.
See also
- List of Category A listed buildings in Edinburgh
- List of post-war Category A listed buildings in Scotland
