St Mary Undercroft facts for kids
Quick facts for kids St Mary Undercroft |
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| Chapel of Saint Mary Undercroft | |
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Print from the Guide to the Palace of Westminster (1911)
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| Location | Palace of Westminster, London |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Denomination | Church of England |
| History | |
| Founded | 1297 |
| Dedication | Blessed Virgin Mary |
| Dedicated | 1641 |
| Administration | |
| Diocese | Royal Peculiar |
The Chapel of St Mary Undercroft is a special church chapel. It is part of the Church of England. You can find it in the famous Palace of Westminster in London, England. To get inside, you go down some stairs in the south-east part of Westminster Hall.
Contents
History of the Chapel
This chapel has a very long and interesting history. It was first built way back in 1297.
From Crypt to Chapel
The chapel started as a crypt. A crypt is a room, often underground, used for religious purposes. This one was beneath a larger church called St Stephen's Chapel.
Over time, the chapel was not used for worship. It became a wine cellar, where wine was stored. It was also a dining room for the Speakers. They even made holes in the walls for kitchen chimneys! Some stories say it was once used as stables for horses, but this is not confirmed.
Rebuilding After the Fire
In 1834, a big fire destroyed St Stephen's Chapel. The Undercroft chapel was badly damaged too. But after the fire, people decided to use it as a place of worship again.
In the 1860s, the chapel was beautifully restored. An architect named Edward Middleton Barry led the work. He used bright colors, gold, and painted designs. These covered the walls, floor, and ceiling. The area behind the altar shows pictures of important British saints.
Famous Visitors and Events
The Chapel of St Mary Undercroft has seen many important moments.
Emily Davison's Protest
On April 2, 1911, something unusual happened. A suffragette named Emily Davison hid in a cupboard overnight. Suffragettes were women who fought for the right to vote.
Emily wanted to be counted on the census form for the Palace of Westminster. This was her way of showing that women belonged in important places like Parliament. Today, a special plaque marks the cupboard where she hid. It was put there in 1999 by Tony Benn.
Resting Place for Important People
The chapel has also been a place of honor for important people. In April 2013, the body of former Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher rested here. This was the night before her funeral.
In March 2014, the body of Tony Benn also rested in the chapel. He was a very well-known politician. In 2017, PC Keith Palmer was honored here. He was a police officer who bravely died protecting the Palace of Westminster.
How the Chapel is Used Today
The Chapel of St Mary Undercroft is still an active place of worship.
Weddings and Christenings
Children of peers can get married here. Peers are people with special titles, like "Lord" or "Lady." Their children are often called "The Honourable". It is a very special place for a wedding.
Members of Parliament and peers can also have their babies christened here. A christening is a ceremony where a baby is welcomed into the Christian church. The font, where the water is held, is made from a single piece of alabaster.
Chapel Management
This chapel is a Royal Peculiar. This means it is directly under the King or Queen. It is not managed by a local diocesan bishop (a church leader).
The chapel is looked after by the Lord Great Chamberlain and Black Rod. These are important officials in Parliament. The chapel does not have its own full-time priest. Services are often led by the Rector of St Margaret's, Westminster. In 2010, Rev'd Rose Hudson-Wilkin was chosen as the Speaker's Chaplain.
