Westminster Chapel

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Westminster Chapel, London
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Founded 1840
Focus Evangelical Christianity
Location
Area served
 London
Product Home to Westminster Foodbank
Members
 250 approx
Key people
 Greg Haslam (senior pastor)
Slogan "Bringing the Kingdom of God to the Heart of the Nation"
Website westminsterchapel.org.uk
Westminster Chapel

Westminster Chapel is an evangelical Christian church in central London, established in 1840.

The church is situated in Buckingham Gate, just off Victoria Street and close to Buckingham Palace. It is at the point where Petty France meets Buckingham Gate and is on the corner of Buckingham Gate and Castle Lane.

The church has been led by several notable pastors, including Martyn Lloyd-Jones (1939–68) and R. T. Kendall (1977–2002). The current senior pastor is Greg Haslam.[1]

History

The Chapel's own website summarises the background of the area:[2]

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In 1840 the area where Westminster Chapel now stands was relatively undeveloped. Since that time the area has improved considerably and historic attractions such as Buckingham Palace and Westminster Abbey bring millions of tourists to the area each year.

Westminster Chapel has had four particularly well-known pastors: the Revd Samuel Martin (1842–78), G. Campbell Morgan (1904–17 and 1933–43), D. Martyn Lloyd-Jones (1939–68) and R. T. Kendall (1977–2002).

The current building, seating around 1500, was opened on 6 July 1865. The church was founded by Congregationalists, and was pastored by D. Martyn Lloyd-Jones from 1939 to 1968. During Lloyd-Jones' ministry the church resigned from the Congregational Union and became a member of the Fellowship of Independent Evangelical Churches and of an Evangelical Fellowship of Congregational Churches.

Prominent among the past deacons at Westminster Chapel have been Sir Frederick Catherwood (born 1925) (son-in-law to Lloyd-Jones) and M. J. "Monty" Micklewright (1897-1994)[3]

The current pastor, Greg Haslam, was previously the pastor of Winchester Family Church, a Newfrontiers church, and has introduced many of Newfrontiers' core values to the church.

In addition to the activities of the Chapel's own worshipping community, the Chapel is well known as a host venue for many Christian conferences and assemblies including, in the past, as a venue for the "May Meetings" of the Congregational Union of England and Wales.

Activities

Sundays

The church is evangelical in its beliefs. Services incorporate a time of worship, including opportunities for prophecies, and a sermon, biblical in its manner and usually preached by the senior pastor, Greg Haslam, or by other leaders within the church including its executive director, Howard Satterthwaite.

Westminster Chapel aims to be a prophetic voice to London, the UK and the nations. It recently[when?] issued a "Mission, Vision, Values" brochure, stating that the church would be Spirit-led, prophetic, and be increasingly mission-minded. The church aims to be a family and open to all who may want to visit. Sunday services are at 11 am and 5.30 pm.

Life Groups

Groups called Life Groups meet in homes throughout London, usually on Tuesday and Wednesday nights. These include special groups for students.[4] The church's website states that these are "the hub of friendship, discipleship and evangelism" at the Chapel.

Alpha course

Westminster Chapel hosts a free Alpha course twice a year. Alpha is an opportunity to explore the meaning of life over dinner, and the Chapel's course usually runs on a Monday night.

Westminster Foodbank

Westminster Chapel currently runs the Westminster Foodbank,[5] as part of the Trussell Trust network of food banks.

Student work

There are approximately seventy students and people in their twenties currently attending the Chapel, and the church has a dedicated team who minister to this age bracket. There are events specifically aimed at students and 20s, as well as those that cater to the wider church family which students can join in with as well.

On Sundays, between 3-5pm, there is a cafe (Sam's Cafe) specifically for students.

Twice a year, the Chapel hosts a retreat for students and twenties in the countryside.

Previous pastors

The full list of previous pastors is as follows:

  • 1842–78, Revd Samuel Martin (helped by Henry Simon for the last two years of his pastorate)
  • 1876–87, Revd Henry Simon
  • 1887–94, no settled ministry
  • 1894–95, Revd W. Evans Hurndall
  • 1896–1902, Revd Richard Westrope
  • 1902–04, no settled ministry
  • 1904–17, Revd G. Campbell Morgan
  • 1904–07, Revd Albert Swift (co-pastor with Campbell Morgan)
  • 1918–22, Revd John Henry Jowett
  • 1923–25, Revd John Hutton
  • 1926–27, no settled ministry
  • 1928–33, Revd Hubert Simpson
  • 1933–43, Revd G. Campbell Morgan (associate minister for one year with Hubert Simpson)
  • 1939–68, Revd D. Martyn Lloyd-Jones (associate minister with Campbell Morgan until August 1943)
  • 1969–74, Revd J. Glyn Owen
  • 1974–76, no settled ministry
  • 1977–2002, Revd R. T. Kendall
  • 2002–present, Pastor Greg Haslam

Architecture

The Chapel building is Italian Romanesque Revival in style. The vast atmospheric auditorium, with seating capacity of about 1500, is nearly oval, with two tiers of galleries and large open roof span. The galleries too are nearly oval, except that the 'circle' of the upper gallery is incomplete so as to accommodate the pipe organ. There is a high platform or dais toward the front of the Chapel, accommodating the Communion Table and chairs for the presiding minister and the serving deacons. This platform or dais stands about three feet above the floor level. Beyond this, there is a large (and even higher) platform or dais, forming a very large preaching-station or pulpit. This feature is circular in shape and it is surmounted by a balustrade. It may perhaps be one of the largest pulpits in any church building. Sir Nikolaus Pevsner considered the interior of the Chapel to be of particular interest.

The Chapel was constructed in 1864-5 to a design by architect William Ford Poulton (1822-1901) of Reading. It is a Grade II Listed building.[6]

The building is of stock brick, with some red brick and stone dressings. The elevation to Buckingham Gate has gabled façade with recessed triple arched central porch, with graduated arcading above, all having decorative shafting. There is a tower to the right, with coupled arched windows. The uppermost stage of the tower was added in the twentieth century in different style and colour.

Pipe organ

A four manual pipe organ, built originally by the eminent organ-builder Henry Willis (1821-1901) (often known as "Father Willis"), the instrument was restored and enlarged in the 1920s by Messrs Rushworth & Draper.[7]

References

  1. ↑ Greg Haslam, Westminster Chapel website
  2. ↑ Our History
  3. ↑ Montague James Micklewright; http://www.keithshistories.com/moody-stuart-a-man-of-prayer/the-life-and-ministry-of-mr-m-j-micklewright-1.php
  4. ↑ Life Groups
  5. ↑ Westminster Foodbank
  6. ↑ Website of British Listed Buildings, http://www.britishlistedbuildings.co.uk building ref TQ2937979407; achieved Listed status in 1973. The description that follows is based mainly upon the Listing Description.
  7. ↑ Information derived from the March 2012 Newsletter of the Exeter Organists, website http://www.exeterorganists.net

External links

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  • Sermons preached at the church: Church's website or via iTunes podcast

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