Chapel
Charterhouse
is a Church of England foundation and the chapel functions on a daily
basis. The services are ordered according to the Book of Common Prayer. In addition to Morning Prayer and Evening Prayer, Holy Communion is celebrated on Sundays and on most Holy Days and Saints Days. There is a small chapel in the Queen Elizabeth II Infirmary
dedicated to St Bruno, the founder of the Carthusian Order (1084).
The Chapel is in three parts. The oldest is to the south and forms the main aisle. This was the chapter house of the Carthusian Priory and was built in 1414. Immediately to the north is the Tomb Aisle constructed by Francis Carter in 1614 to accommodate the grand tomb of the founder of Sutton's Hospital, Thomas Sutton. On its north side is the Transept, designed by Redmond Pilkington and added in 1824 to accommodate the expanding number of pupils in the school. In 1842 the Walker organ was installed at the western end of the Tomb Aisle above the splendid 17th century organ screen. Later, in 1844, the earliest recorded stained glass window by Charles Clutterbuck, which shows the Crucifixion, was installed above the altar, which is in the main aisle.
Leading to the Chapel is Chapel Cloister, also designed by Francis Carter, and much restored after damage during the Second World War.
This
cloister is a place of burial and memorial. The windows face Chapel Court
which is the site of the original church - a chantry chapel for the victims
of the Black Death - which dates from 1349. It became the Priory Church
and on 15 January 1372 Sir Walter de Mauny was buried in front of the
High Altar. His grave was discovered during archaeological work after
the war.
A number of acclaimed musicians have links with the chapel including Henry Purcell, John Christopher Pepusch (1667-1752) who arranged the music for John Gay's The Beggar's Opera, and William Horsley (1774-1858), composer of the tune Horsley to which the hymn There is a green hill far away is sung. Charterhouse Chapel Organ.pdf
Originally,
the Brothers' burial ground was within the site and a few memorial stones
remain on the wall which borders Clerkenwell Road. From 1854, Tower Hamlets
Cemetery was used, until 1929, when part of the churchyard of St Mary
the Virgin, Little Hallingbury in Essex became the Brothers' burial ground.
An annual memorial service takes place there in July.
Regular Service Times - all services are open to the public. Please
note that changes to the service times may take place occasionally. For
more information
Sunday
9.45am Holy Communion - sermons are preached on Principal Feasts
Monday
- Saturday
8.00am Morning Prayer
5.30pm Evening Prayer
Holy
Days and Saints Days
In addition to Morning and Evening Prayer, Holy Communion is celebrated,
either in the Chapel at 9.45am or in St Bruno's Chapel, Queen Elizabeth
II Infirmary, at 11.00am.
From time to time special services
are held at Sutton's Hospital.