Royal Garrison Church, Aldershot facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Royal Garrison Church |
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| The Royal Garrison Church of All Saints | |
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 Royal Garrison Church
Location in Hampshire
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| 51°15′08″N 0°46′44″W / 51.25209°N 0.77878°W | |
| Location | Farnborough Road Aldershot, Hampshire GU11 1QA |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Denomination | Church of England |
| Churchmanship | Central |
| Architecture | |
| Functional status | Active |
| Heritage designation | Grade II listed |
| Designated | 1973 |
| Architect(s) | P. C. Hardwick |
| Style | Gothic Revival |
| Specifications | |
| Number of towers | 1 |
| Materials | English bond red brick |
| Administration | |
| Diocese | Jurisdiction: Bishop to the Forces Location: Diocese of Guildford |
The Royal Garrison Church of All Saints is a special Church of England church. You can find it in Aldershot Garrison, England. This church was built in 1863. A famous architect named P. C. Hardwick designed it.
The building looks like old Gothic churches. It is made from red bricks, which is why some people call it "the Red Church." This church is the main place of worship for Anglican soldiers in Aldershot. It is also a Grade II listed building, meaning it's an important historical building.
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History of the Garrison Church
In 1854, the army bought a huge area of land in Aldershot. They wanted to build a permanent military camp there. The Crimean War started that same year. This led to a big army build-up.
By 1855, about 12,000 huts were built in Aldershot. These huts housed 20,000 soldiers. It quickly became clear that such a large camp needed a church. So, a small iron church was set up. This was the only church in the camp until 1863.
In 1857, Parliament decided Aldershot would be a permanent camp. A new spot was chosen for a bigger, permanent church. This new church was built near the Royal Pavilion. Philip Charles Hardwick designed it. He created a red-brick building with a Gothic look.
The church is 143 feet long and 68 feet wide. It can hold 1,250 people. Its tall spire reaches 170 feet high. This spire is a well-known landmark in the area. The church was officially opened on July 29, 1863. It is now a Grade II listed building.
Today, you reach the church by Old Contemptibles Avenue. This road is named after the "Old Contemptibles". These were soldiers from World War I. They used to attend a yearly service at the church. After the service, they would parade along this avenue. The avenue was opened in 1958.
Inside the church, there is a special chapel for the Royal Army Dental Corps. It has a green altar cloth with their badges. There is also St Michael's Chapel, known as the Warrior's Chapel. It has a beautiful screen around it.
Important Moments at the Church
- 1914: George V, the King, and Queen Mary attended a morning service here.
- 1923: The King allowed the church to add "Royal" to its name.
- 1963: Elizabeth II, the Queen, attended the church's 100th anniversary service.
- 1976: The funeral of General Sir Mervyn Butler was held here. He was a very important army leader.
The Somme Cross
In the church's south entrance, there is a large wooden cross. It stands about nine feet tall. The cross has a message carved into it. It remembers the soldiers of the 1st Division. They died in battle near High Wood in September 1916.
At the start of World War I, the 1st Division was based in Aldershot. Soon after, they were fighting in the Battle of Mons. In July 1916, the 1st Division fought in the Battle of the Somme. They were part of the Battle of Bazentin Ridge and the Battle of Pozières.
In September 1916, the 1st Division fought at High Wood. This was some of the fiercest hand-to-hand fighting of the Somme. Many British and German soldiers died there. After the battle, the 1st Division engineers built a memorial cross. They used wood from a nearby ruined village.
Later, a permanent stone memorial was built for the 1st Division in France. So, the wooden cross from High Wood was brought back to the UK. In 1927, it was set up outside the 1st Division Headquarters in Aldershot. To protect it from the weather, the Somme Cross was moved inside the church in 1939. It has been there ever since.
Inside the Church
The Great East Window
This is the biggest stained glass window in the church. The 37th Hampshires paid for it. It remembers their soldiers who died during the Indian Mutiny (1857-1859). The window shows the Resurrection of Christ. He is shown rising from his tomb. The side panels show figures like Joshua and Gideon.
The Altars
The main altars at the front of the church are made of wood. The carving on the main altar is very detailed. It was given to the church by the All Saints Branch of the Guild of St Helene. Different cloths are used on the altar throughout the year. These cloths were given by various people.
The Organ
The church's organ was built in 1900. It is the second organ the church has had. It has 1749 pipes and many different sounds. The gold-colored pipes you see on the side are just for show. They are not connected to the organ.
The Pulpit
The carved oak pulpit is a memorial to Sir James Alleyn. It was made in 1899. At the bottom of the pulpit, you can see symbols of the Four Evangelists. These are the eagle for St John, the lion for St Mark, the bull for St Luke, and the angel for St Matthew.
The Font
The font is where baptisms take place. It looks simple and heavy. It is unusual because it is square, unlike most fonts. On the outside, it also has the symbols of the Four Evangelists. Their names are written in Latin: Sanctus Joannes, Sanctus Marcus, Sanctus Lucas, and Sanctus Mattheus.
The Parachute Regiment Kneelers
Since 1967, this church has been the "spiritual home" for The Paras. These are soldiers from the Parachute Regiment. All the soldiers from this regiment who died in World War II are remembered here. Each soldier has their own special kneeler.
Wall Memorials
Many important soldiers are remembered with memorials on the walls. These include Frederick Arthur Montague Browning, James Yorke Scarlett, and James Hope Grant.
The memorial for James Yorke Scarlett is very detailed. It has a bronze statue of Scarlett. On either side are two life-size bronze cavalry soldiers. These soldiers are from his old regiments. They wear medals like the VC and Crimean War medals.
Images for kids
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Memorial to the Parachute Regiment and Airborne Forces
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Small memorial outside the Church in November 2016
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1st and 2nd Infantry Division Gates
