St George's Interdenominational Chapel, Heathrow Airport facts for kids
The St George's Interdenominational Chapel is a special place for prayer and quiet time at Heathrow Airport in London, England. It was designed by a famous architect named Sir Frederick Gibberd. Next to the chapel, there's a prayer room and a place for people to talk to a counselor.
The team that helps people at Heathrow Airport includes chaplains from different Christian groups, like Anglicans, Catholics, and Free Churches. There are also representatives from other faiths, such as Muslim and Jewish communities. They all work together to support people at the airport.
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History and Design
A Chapel for Everyone
The Chapel of St George opened on October 11, 1968. It was created as a Christian chapel for everyone at London Heathrow Airport. Before the chapel was built, local church leaders helped people at the airport. The land for the chapel was given by the British Airports Authority (BAA). Money for building it came mostly from the Church of England (Anglican), Roman Catholic Church, and Free Churches.
Unique Design for Peace
The architect, Jack Forrest, had a challenge. He needed to design a chapel that would work for all Christian traditions. It also had to be a peaceful and quiet place. The chapel's design is like a vaulted crypt. This means it has a curved ceiling and is built underground. Being underground helps block out the noise and busy feeling of the airport. This design makes it feel calm and peaceful.
The chapel has three special curved areas called apses. At first, each of these areas was meant for a different Christian group. But in 1972, the main altar was set aside for all Christian groups to use together. The other two apses now hold the Blessed Sacrament and the baptismal font. The Blessed Sacrament area has two separate sections for Anglican and Roman Catholic traditions.
Worship and Usage
Services and Community
Regular services are held in the chapel. It works like a community church for airport staff and passengers. Other special services, like baptisms or weddings, can also be held there by request. Everyone is welcome to attend any of the public services.
Memorial Garden and Prayer Room
Outside the chapel, there is a Memorial Garden. A tall, 16-foot oak cross stands in the garden. This garden is a quiet place for staff and passengers to rest. The walls of the garden have plaques that remember people who were part of the airport community and have passed away. On the other side of the garden, there is a multifaith prayer room. This room opened in 1998 and is for people of all faiths to pray.
Airport Chaplains
The chaplains meet regularly to pray together. They are available 365 days a year to help people. These chaplains are also part of a group called the International Association of Civil Aviation Chaplains. This group connects chaplains at airports all over the world.
Memorials
Remembering Important Events
There are special plaques in the chapel that help us remember important people and events. A plaque for Barbara Jane Harrison was put up on October 23, 1970. She was a brave flight attendant. There are also plaques to remember the Lockerbie bombing. One plaque for the crew is on the wall near the door. Another plaque, made by Dr Jim Swire, is near the font.
