St George's Interdenominational Chapel, Heathrow Airport facts for kids
The St George's Interdenominational Chapel is a special place of worship located at Heathrow Airport near London, England. It was designed by a famous architect named Sir Frederick Gibberd. Next to the chapel, there's a quiet prayer room and a counselling room for people who need to talk.
The team that looks after the chapel, called the Heathrow Chaplaincy Team, includes Christian leaders from different churches like Anglican, Catholic, and Free Church. It also has representatives from other faiths, such as Muslim and Jewish traditions. They all work together to help people at the airport.
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Discovering the Chapel's History and Design
The Chapel of St George opened on October 11, 1968. It was created as a Christian chapel for everyone, right in the middle of London Heathrow Airport. Before this 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 to build it came mostly from the Church of England (Anglican), Roman Catholic Church, and other Christian groups called Free Churches.
How the Chapel Was Designed
The architect, Jack Forrest, had a big challenge. He needed to design a chapel that would welcome all Christian traditions. It also had to be a peaceful and quiet place away from the airport's busy noise.
The chapel's design looks like a vaulted crypt. This style is similar to old churches from early Christian times. Being underground helps keep it quiet and peaceful, separating it from the airport's hustle and bustle.
Special Areas Inside the Chapel
The chapel has three special curved areas called apses. At first, each apse was meant for a different Christian group that helped fund the chapel. But in 1972, the main altar was dedicated for everyone to use together. Important leaders from different churches, like the Archbishop of Canterbury, helped with this.
Now, the other apses hold special items. One has the Blessed Sacrament, which is a holy item for both Anglican and Roman Catholic traditions. The other apse holds the baptismal font, which is used for baptisms.
The chapel is officially registered as a place of worship. It has also been allowed to hold weddings since May 1, 1979.
Chapel Activities and How It's Used
The chapel holds regular services, just like a community church. Other special services and ceremonies can also be held there by request. Everyone is welcome to attend any of the public services.
The Peaceful Memorial Garden
Outside the chapel, there is a Memorial Garden. A tall, 16-foot oak cross stands in the garden. This garden is a calm place for airport 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 a place where people of different faiths can pray.
The Chaplaincy Team's Role
The chaplains meet regularly to pray together. They are available to help people every single day of the year. They are also connected to the International Association of Civil Aviation Chaplains, which links them to airport chaplains all over the world.
Remembering Important Events and People
The chapel also has special plaques that remember important people and events. One plaque was put up on October 23, 1970, to remember Barbara Jane Harrison. She was a brave flight attendant who helped passengers during a plane fire.
There are also plaques that remember the Lockerbie bombing. One plaque for the flight crew is on the wall near the door. Another plaque, made by Dr Jim Swire, is near the baptismal font.
