Brentwood Borough Council Leisure and Culture - Places to Visit - Chapel of the Royal ...

Chapel of the Royal Anglian Regiment and the Essex Regiment

A grade II Listed Building, the Chapel was originally designed for the East India Company whose recruits were trained at Warley and built in 1857 after the Indian Mutiny. It was subsequently as a garrison church until being dedicated as the Essex Regiment Chapel on 1st March, 1925.

It is unique in that the Essex Regiment is the only single regiment to have its own free standing chapel.  The attractive and imposing interior with its rich display of Colours, memorials and pew ends encapsulates much of the history of the Essex Regiment up to the present day when it has been absorbed into the Royal Anglian Regiment. The Essex Regiment Association and the Royal Anglian Regiment maintain strong links with the Borough of Brentwood and the County of Essex.

Services

These are held at 11:00am on the first Sunday of every month, except in January when the service is on the second Sunday.  The service is taken from the Book of Common Prayer and anyone is most welcomed to attend, regardless of whether or not they have a regimental connection.  A shortened version of Holy Communion is offered after the service for those who wish to participate.

The service on the first Sunday of July each year is organised for the Brentwood Branch of the Royal Naval Association and the service on the first Sunday in November usually has a Remembrance Day theme.

After the monthly service all members of the congregation are welcomed to the nearby Blenheim House for refreshments.

Facilities

There is wheelchair access to the Chapel via the South (side) door and a modern toilet with facilities for the disabled is located within the grounds.

A hearing-aid Loop system is installed (switch to ‘T’).

Guide Dogs are permitted. 

Cars can be parked in Clive Road (off Eagle Way) or other roads in the area of the Chapel but local restrictions do apply.

Blessings, Baptisms and Funerals

The Chapel only has a restricted licence for weddings.  However, blessings, baptisms and funeral services can be performed for those who are serving members of the Armed Forces, including Merchant Navy, or for their close relatives provided they reside locally.  Further clarification can be obtained from Major (R’td) Tony Jones the Regimental Area Secretary of the Royal Anglian Regiment (see Contact details below).

Visits

Although the Chapel is kept closed when not in use, visits can be arranged for parties or individuals – enquiries also to

Major Tony Jones(see also below).

Brentwood Heritage Open Days 2010

The Chapel is normally open for Brentwood Heritage Open Days – details for 2010 will be announced during the preceding month.

Contact

Regimental Area Secretary : Major (R’td) Tony Jones

Area Office : HQ Royal Anglian Regiment.  Blenheim House.  Eagle Way.  Warley.  Brentwood.  Essex.  CM13 34BN

Tel: 01277 213051 (Monday-Friday, except Public & Bank Holidays).