The congregation was formed in 1840 and its original chapel building was completed in Buckingham Gate in 1841. The congregation outgrew that building, so construction of a new chapel was begun in 1864. This building is the present chapel. It opened on 6 July 1865 and had capacity to seat about 1,500 people,[1] now reduced to about 1,000.[2]
Prominent among the past deacons at Westminster Chapel have been Sir Fred Catherwood (1925–2014; son-in-law to Lloyd-Jones) and MJ "Monty" Micklewright (1897–1994).[3]
The reformed theologian John Murray also delivered a notable lecture here titled "The Heavenly, Priestly Activity of Christ" in 1958.[4]
During R. T. Kendall's pastorate, he led the church to adopt many emphases and practices of the Charismatic movement, despite the concerns of other church officers that these were contrary to the church's accepted reformed teachings.[5] The following pastor, Greg Haslam, was previously the pastor of Winchester Family Church, a Newfrontiers church, and continued this trend, introducing many of Newfrontiers' core values to the church.
In addition to the activities of the chapel's own worshipping community, the chapel is well known as a host venue for many Christian conferences and assemblies including, in the past, as a venue for the "May Meetings" of the Congregational Union of England and Wales.
Westminster Chapel aims to be a prophetic voice to London, the UK and the nations. It recently[when?] issued a "Mission, Vision, Values" brochure, stating that the church would be Spirit-led, prophetic, and be increasingly mission-minded. The church aims to be a family and open to all who may want to visit. Sunday services are at 11 am.
Life Groups
Groups called Life Groups meet in homes throughout London, usually on Tuesday and Wednesday nights. These include special groups for students.[6] The church's website states that these are "the hub of friendship, discipleship and evangelism" at the chapel.
Alpha course
Westminster Chapel hosts a free Alpha course twice a year. Alpha is an opportunity to explore the meaning of life over dinner, and the chapel's course usually runs on a Monday night.
Westminster Foodbank
Westminster Chapel currently runs the Westminster Foodbank,[7] as part of the Trussell Trust network of food banks.
Student work
About 70 students and people in their twenties currently attend the chapel, and the church has a dedicated team who minister to this age group. There are events specifically aimed at students and twenties, as well as those that cater to the wider church family with which students can join in.
Twice a year the chapel hosts a retreat for students and twenties.
Pastors
The tower on the corner of Buckingham Gate and Castle Lane
In August 2016 the church announced that an eldership team would be appointed, and Howard Satterthwaite would be appointed as Lead Elder.[8]
The full list of previous pastors is:
1842–78 Revd Samuel Martin (helped by Henry Simon for the last two years of his pastorate)
The present chapel, completed in 1865, was designed by the architect William Ford Poulton (1822–1901) of Reading, Berkshire in a LombardRomanesque Revival style. It is built of stock brick with some red brick and stone dressings. The façade on Buckingham Gate is gabled and has a recessed triple-arched central porch, with graduated arcading above, all having decorative shafting. There is a tower to the right, with coupled arched windows. The top stage of the tower was added in the 20th century in a different style and colour.
The auditorium, with seating capacity of about 1,500, is nearly oval, with two tiers of galleries and large open roof span. The galleries too are nearly oval, except that the 'circle' of the upper gallery is incomplete so as to accommodate the pipe organ. There is a high platform or daïs toward the front of the chapel, accommodating the Communion Table and chairs for the presiding minister and the serving deacons. This platform or daïs is about three feet above the floor level. Beyond this is a large (and even higher) platform or daïs, forming a very large preaching-station or pulpit. This feature is circular and surmounted by a balustrade. It may perhaps be one of the largest pulpits in any church building.
A four-manual pipe organ was built by the eminent organ-builder Henry Willis (1821–1901; often known as "Father Willis") and restored and enlarged in the 1920s by Messrs Rushworth and Draper.[10]
