The Friends of the Hospital Chapel is a voluntary group of people initially set up in 1991 by the then Bishop of Barking to help the Abbess Adelicia Charity preserve and maintain the Chapel building, then used by a small community of nuns who lived in the Almshouse.
Our Constitution gives our Objects as:
- to provide for the restoration, preservation, repair, maintenance, improvement and beautification of the Chapel and its monuments, fittings, fixtures, stained glass, furniture, ornaments and chattels in the Chapel and the Chapel’s yard.
- to promote the religious and cultural use of the Chapel
- obtain, collect and receive monies and funds by way of contributions, donations, subscriptions, legacies, grants and any other lawful methods for the benefit of the
Chapel.
Since funds were needed, it was decided necessary to enlist the help of the public – many local people were unaware of its existence – so a launch of the Friends took place and having signed up a nucleus of Friends, we started having open days, recitals, concerts, talks, fêtes, etc.
The membership has steadily grown over the years and we have been able to raise substantial funds for the Chapel. During the last few years we have initiated and completed major conservation and improvement work to safeguard the building for future generations. We continue to raise money to maintain and support the Chapel.
The Friends, with the agreement of the Abbess Adelicia Charity and following the advice of the Charity Commission, have now become a registered charity in our own right. Our registered charity number is 1121097.
An application form to become a Friend is available to download by clicking here.