Guards Chapel of Wellington Barracks
Overview
Visiting and facilities
Building is open for worship
Building
Building Fabric and Features
Military Chapel
19th Century to 20th Century
Historical Notes
1838 - 1838
Period Qualifier: 2
1877 - 1879
Period Qualifier: 1
Re-modelled by GE Street
1944 - 1944
Period Qualifier: 1
Destroyed except for the chancel and apse
1955 - 1956
Period Qualifier: 1
War Memorial Cloister by HS Goodhart-Rendel
1962 - 1963
Period Qualifier: 1
Bruce George of George Trew and Dunn Architects
Cenotaph
20th Century to 21st Century The Household Brigade Cenotaph is situated in the south-west corner, directly opposite and parallel to the Memorial Cloister. It contains a sculpted stone sarcophagus, regimental colours and the Book of Remembrance; containing the names of those who have died in service from 1945 to the present.
Historical Notes
1945 - 1945
Period Qualifier: 2
War Memorial
20th Century The Cloister was designed by H.S. Goodhart-Rendel, once himself an officer of the Grenadier Guards who went on to become President of the Royal Institute of British Architects. He unfortunately died before he finished plans for rebuilding the rest of the chapel. The Cloister was designed to link Birdcage Walk with the Chapel, and leads into the Memorial Garden and Reflective Pool. As the first part of the new chapel to be completed, it was dedicated 28 May 1956 in the presence of Queen Elizabeth II. Containing one bay for each regiment, the Cloister holds the seven regimental rolls of honour with the names of those who died in service between 1939-45. The inscription over the arched entrance from the chapel reads 'Pro Patria Mortuis
Historical Notes
1956 - 1956
Period Qualifier: 2
Cloister
Along the south wall lie the six Regimental Cloisters - one for the two Household Cavalry regiments and the other five for the Foot Guards regiments. Each small chapel was uniquely designed, containing the regiment’s coat of arms, and provides space for soldiers and their family and friends to remember, reflect and pray. Many of the furnishings for each chapel have been donated in memory of loved ones and the artwork, Portland stone inscriptions and window etchings are to designs chosen by each regiment
Apse
The semi-circular apse on the east wall of the Chapel is one of the original features of the chapel which survived its destruction
Interior
Fixtures and fittings
Plaque (component)
20th Century The entirety of the west wall, both inside and outside, commemorates the people and memorials lost in the 1944 bombing that destroyed the Chapel. The names inscribed on the stone record both the names of those dedicated on the Chapel’s original memorials, alongside the names of the 121 soldiers and civilians whose perished in the event. Tablets either side of the War Memorial Cloister record the event and the Chapel’s history
Mosaic
19th Century The mosaics were designed by John R. Clayton of the church interior specialist firm, Clayton & Bell. They were completed by Salviati, Burke & Co, another influential mosaic firm in 1881. The mosaics depict ‘The Story of the Passion’, ‘The Agony in the Garden of Gethsemane’ ‘the Crucifixion’ and ‘Christ in Majesty’, alongside the figures of the Apostles and angels carrying scrolls labelled with virtues.
Historical Notes
1881 - 1881
Period Qualifier: 2
Stained Glass (window)
The west wall contains the original stained glass by Clayton & Bell, salvaged from the ruins of the chapel and reassembled here. Each section depicts a different biblical event
Portable Furnishings and Artworks
The flags that adorn the walls of the Chapel have special significance as they are the regimental colours of the Household Cavalry and Foot Guards. The mixture of sizes, colours and ages reflect the long history of the Chapel and its inhabitants. Several of the colours predate the Act of Union with Ireland in 1801, so do not contain the red diagonal cross of St Patrick.
The two cast aluminium sculptures either side of the apse were made by the artist Geoffrey Clarke as part of the 1963 rebuild and depict 'Passive Standard' to the north and 'Active Standard' to the south. These depict the Household Division standing on ceremony and in active service.
Churchyard
Burial and War Grave Information
It is unknown whether the building is consecrated.
It is unknown whether the churchyard has been used for burial.
It is unknown whether the churchyard is used for burial.
It is unknown whether the churchyard has war graves.
National Heritage record for England designations
There are no records of National Heritage assets within the curtilage of this site.
Environment
Ancient, Veteran & Notable Trees
Caring for God's Acre is a conservation charity working to support groups and individuals to investigate, care for, and enjoy the wildlife and heritage treasures found within churchyards and other burial grounds. Look on their website for information and advice and please contact their staff directly. They can help you manage this churchyard for people and wildlife.
To learn more about all the species recorded against this church, go to the Burial Ground Portal within the NBN Atlas. You can check the spread of records through the years, discovering what has been recorded and when, plus what discoveries might remain to be uncovered.
There are no records of Ancient, Veteran or Notable Trees within the curtilage of this site.
Renewables
| Renewable | Installed |
|---|---|
| Solar PV Panels | N/A |
| Solar Thermal Panels | N/A |
| Biomass | N/A |
| Wind Turbine | N/A |
| Air Source Heat Pump | N/A |
| Ground Source Heat Pump | N/A |
| Ev Charging | N/A |
Species summary
There are no records of species within the curtilage of this site.
Caring for God's Acre is a conservation charity working to support groups and individuals to investigate, care for, and enjoy the wildlife and heritage treasures found within churchyards and other burial grounds. Look on their website for information and advice and please contact their staff directly. They can help you manage this churchyard for people and wildlife.
To learn more about all the species recorded against this church, go to the Burial Ground Portal within the NBN Atlas. You can check the spread of records through the years, discovering what has been recorded and when, plus what discoveries might remain to be uncovered.
'Seek advice' Species
More information on species and action to be taken upon discovery.
Caring for God's Acre is a conservation charity working to support groups and individuals to investigate, care for, and enjoy the wildlife and heritage treasures found within churchyards and other burial grounds. Look on their website for information and advice and please contact their staff directly. They can help you manage this churchyard for people and wildlife.
To learn more about all the species recorded against this church, go to the Burial Ground Portal within the NBN Atlas. You can check the spread of records through the years, discovering what has been recorded and when, plus what discoveries might remain to be uncovered.
Further information
Sources
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