The Queen's Chapel of the Savoy - Savoy Hill, London, UK
N 51° 30.623 W 000° 07.186
30U E 699860 N 5710517
This church is tucked away in a part of London known as Savoy just south of Strand.
Waymark Code: WME7RQ
Location: London, United Kingdom
Date Posted: 04/15/2012
Views: 7
The Duchy of Lancaster website (visit
link) tells us:
"The Queen’s Chapel of the Savoy has a long
association with the Duchy of Lancaster.
The Chapel is the last surviving building of a hospital founded by Henry VII for
homeless people in 1512. It stands on the area of London known as the Savoy.
The Chapel belongs to Her Majesty The Queen in Her Right as Duke of Lancaster.
It is a ‘free’ chapel or ‘peculiar’ not falling within any bishop’s
jurisdiction, but remaining firmly within the Church of England.
The Chapel remains an important part of the Savoy Estate, the Duchy of
Lancaster’s principal London land holding. It continues to provide spiritual
service to the community, as it has done for nearly 500 years.
The Queen’s Chapel of the Savoy is also the chapel of the Royal Victorian Order,
an Order of Chivalry within the Sovereign’s personal gift. By The Queen’s
appointment, the present Chaplain is also Chaplain of the Order.
The expenses of the Chapel are borne by The Queen in Right of Her Duchy of
Lancaster, and collections are donated to charity. Maintenance of this historic
building remains the Duchy of Lancaster’s responsibility. Recent work has
included the landscaping of the gardens in honour of Her Majesty’s Golden
Jubilee, and the restoration of the Chapel ceiling in 1999.
Members of the public are most welcome to attend services in The Queen’s Chapel
of the Savoy."
The church is Grade II* listed and the entry at English
Heritage (visit
link) tells us:
"CITY OF WESTMINSTER SAVOY HILL, WC2 73/41 Savoy
Chapel (The 24.2.58 Queen's Chapel of the Savoy) G.V. II* Chapel royal.
1510-16,built as part of the Hospital of St John-the-Baptist, Savoy; south wall
and bell turret c1830 by Sir Robert Smirke, 1864 restoration by Sidney Smirke;
adapted for the Royal Victorian Order 1940 with alterations and additions
1956-57 by A B Knapp-Fisher. Stone rubble with fine ashlar dressings. Aisleless
with transepts. Small square tower with simple bell turret with pointed arch
openings to south end. 5 bays. 3 light, 4-centred arched windows with drip
moulds all restored by S Smirke. Interior has enriched Tudor panelled ceiling.
Tudor monuments. Reset C13.to C15 stained glass; etc."