Christ’s Chapel
About Christ’s Chapel
The Chapel is a place of beauty and is a wonderful setting for the use of the Book of Common Prayer which we use for all regular worship. It is a vital piece of Dulwich and London heritage, and its history is described more fully on a separate page. Also it offers great scope for social and educational activities and there is an established programme of Chapel Events.
Christ’s Chapel was consecrated in 1616 by George Abbot, Archbishop of Canterbury, as part of the Dulwich College foundation. The Elizabethan actor Edward Alleyn built his College of God’s Gift on Dulwich Green as an act of thanksgiving to God for his talents as an actor and his ability in business. Since then it has been in use continually as a spiritual focus for the almshouses and three Dulwich Schools of the Foundation: Dulwich College, James Allen’s Girls’ School and Alleyn’s School. You can read more about the history of Christ’s Chapel.
Christ’s Chapel Choir
From September to early July, Sung Evensong and Matins are led by Christ’s Chapel choir. (These services derive directly from monastic hours, which date right back to the days of the early Church.) Members of the congregation are encouraged to join the singing of hymns, psalms and canticles. Copies of the Parish Psalter are available. There are choir anthems, clergy/choir sung responses and voluntaries played on the restored Georgian organ. In addition to normal Sunday services, an augmented choir sings on special days and festivals.
Get involved
Singers may come from well beyond the parish boundaries – anyone with good sight reading skills is welcome to join in our services. Anyone interested in taking part should contact the Chapel Organist, Marilyn Harper, for more information – 07905 257 150 or click here to email. Visiting choirs are also welcome.