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

Chapel of the Royal Anglian Regiment and the Essex Regiment

Clive Road, Warley

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 used as a garrison church until being dedicated as the Essex Regiment Chapel in 1925.

It is unique in that the Essex Regiment was the only single regiment to have its own freestanding chapel. The attractive and imposing interior with its rich display of Colours and memorials encapsulates much of the history of the Essex Regiment until 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 11am on the first Sunday of every month, except in January when the service is on the second Sunday. They are taken from the Book of Common Prayer and anybody is welcome 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 in 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 Sunday theme.

After the monthly service all members of the congregation are welcome 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 disabled facilities being located within the grounds.
A hearing-aid Loop system is installed (switch aid 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, baptisms, blessings and funeral services can be performed for those who are or have been serving members of the Armed Forces, including Merchant Navy, or for their close relatives, provided they live locally. Further clarification can be obtained from Major Tony Jones, the Area Secretary of the Royal Anglian Regiment (see below).

Visits
Although the Chapel is kept closed when not in use, visits can be arranged for parties or individuals. Applications to Major Tony Jones (see 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.

Sunday, 4th October. 2009 (Seventeenth Sunday after Trinity) at 11:00am.

The monthly Morning Service is taken from the Book of Common Prayer and all are welcome to attend. The shortened version of Holy Communion is offered after the service for those wishing to participate.

The Lesson will be read by Captain W.L. Simmons. DL The Essex Regiment Association

The service will be conducted by The Reverend Mark Hadon-Jones Chaplain of Colchester Garrison.

After the service all members of the congregation are cordially invited to nearby Blenheim House in Eagle Way for light refreshments.

Contact
Area Secretary: Major (Ret’d) Tony Jones
Area Office: HQ Royal Anglian Regiment, Blenheim House, Eagle Way, Warley, Brentwood, Essex CM13 34BN Tel: 01277 213051