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Ship of Fools: Her Majesty's Chapel Royal, East Molesey, England

The Mystery WorshipperThe Mystery Worshipper Shipmate
edited January 2022 in The Mystery Worshipper
imageShip of Fools: Her Majesty's Chapel Royal, East Molesey, England

You won't regret it – or forget it – but no flagon of mead

Read the full Mystery Worshipper report here


Comments

  • Baptist TrainfanBaptist Trainfan Shipmate
    What a shame (I'm not being serious!) that they didn't conclude the service with a rousing rendition of "The Vicar of Bray".
  • Bishops FingerBishops Finger Shipmate
    edited January 2022
    Point of Order:

    It's East Molesey, not Molesley...

    An enjoyable Report about an enjoyable service, even if the commemoration of Charles I might seem a tad idiosyncratic. Still, if you're going to do it, do it properly, as here !
  • Amanda B ReckondwythAmanda B Reckondwyth Shipmate
    Indeed it is. I'll make the correction. I should have caught that in editing. I've been watching too much Downton Abbey.
  • Box PewBox Pew Shipmate
    Can one go to a service here without having to pay the stonking admission charges for the Palace? I assume from the fact that 50-60 were present in the chapel that this is possible. Details of how to do access would be useful. Is there a secret password?
  • Nick TamenNick Tamen Shipmate
    Since the report says that the chapel is also a parish church, I assume one can attend services without paying a fee.
  • QuiristerQuirister Shipmate Posts: 4
    Box Pew wrote: »
    Can one go to a service here without having to pay the stonking admission charges for the Palace? I assume from the fact that 50-60 were present in the chapel that this is possible. Details of how to do access would be useful. Is there a secret password?

    When you arrive at the palace, rather than going through the main gatehouse where they check tickets, head for Tennis Court Lane. Explain to the staff on duty at the security barrier that you're there to attend a service and they'll point you in the direction of the side entrance to the chapel.
  • Box PewBox Pew Shipmate
    edited February 2022
    Thanks Quirister. I will try that one. Yes, the report says the chapel is a parish church, but I dont think that can be accurate; surely it is one of the Chapels Royal—therefore an extra-parochial peculiar?
  • Amanda B ReckondwythAmanda B Reckondwyth Shipmate
    There is no mention anywhere that I can see on the chapel's website that it serves as a parish church, although it does say in several places that the public are invited to worship there.
  • Nick TamenNick Tamen Shipmate
    Amanda B Reckondwyth wrote: »
    There is no mention anywhere that I can see on the chapel's website that it serves as a parish church, although it does say in several places that the public are invited to worship there.
    I was just going by the report, which says: “While this is a Royal Peculiar, it is also a parish church, serving the small town of Hampton Court.”

    The “Welcome” on page 3 of this document, however, says: “WELCOME to Her Majesty’s Chapel Royal, Hampton Court Palace for this service, and to a continuous tradition of worship that has been practised on this site for at least 800 years. This is one of the Queen’s Chapels, and as such, not a parish church.”
  • Bishops FingerBishops Finger Shipmate
    edited February 2022
    Here is a link to an article about what I assume is the *official* church of the parish:
    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/St_Mary%27s_Parish_Church,_Hampton
  • Bishops FingerBishops Finger Shipmate
    BTW, the churchmanship at the Chapel Royal contrasts with that at the local parish church, which IMHO is a Good Thing, and gives local people a choice.

    I note that the Scottish 1637 liturgy was used on this special occasion, as a gesture of courtesy towards His late Majesty, which rather implies that maybe the *standard* 1662 liturgy is used for other services.
  • clericuscapellaeclericuscapellae Shipmate Posts: 1
    To Address two points:

    All services in the Chapel Royal are completely separate to the Admission Charge for the Palace (of course, those with tickets are just as welcome!). Entry is via Tennis Court Lane, which runs along the left hand side of the main palace building as you approach from the main gate from the road. Go in to the security office at the barrier, and they will grant access to the chapel, which is signposted through the palace.
    Parking is available onsite for a small charge (not chapel) and the palace is very close to Hampton Court Train Station (half hourly from Waterloo) and the 111, 216, 411 and R68 stop nearby.

    The Chapel is not a parish church as such. It is a domestic chapel of Her Majesty and part of the Chapel Royal - the Ecclesiastical Household of the Sovereign. However, the Palace and Royal Mews are Extra Parochial and exempt from the jurisdiction of the See of London and therefore St, Mary's Hampton. In that sense, the Chapel Royal functions as the Parish Church of the residents of the palace and mews - as well as for those who choose to be regular members of the congregation. This is in addition to ministering to the staff of the Royal Household (along with the other Chapels Royal) and members of the staff of Historic Royal Palaces. The Chapel Royal is also spiritual home to the Order of Companions of Honour.

    We look forward to welcoming you!
  • Bishops FingerBishops Finger Shipmate
    Welcome to the Ship @clericuscapellae , and thanks for the information. Yes, I think it's fair to say that the Chapel Royal acts as a kind of *parish church* to those who live and work within the bounds of the Peculiar.

    Could you please let us know what liturgy is in normal use? I don't suppose the 1637 Scottish Liturgy is employed very often...
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