First Time Visitors

Many people find that they want to come to a service at the Chapel but are not sure what to expect! Some feel embarrassed that they don't know much about Christianity or the Church, or they may think they don't believe enough to be part of a faith community. Our invitation is to you to come and join us and to see what you make of us. You may be surprised to find others like yourself…

Here are some frequently asked questions:

When is the main Sunday service?

At 11.00am

How do I get to the church?

Please see our page on how to get to the church.

What happens at a service?

When you arrive you will be welcomed by people of the Chapel, given a service booklet and invited to sit anywhere in the main part of the church. At 1100 the servers and clergy enter as everyone stands to sing a hymn (a song of praise to God). The service is called a “eucharist”. This comes from a Greek word meaning “thanksgiving”. At the heart of our worship is our giving thanks to God but we also acknowledge our own fraility and fragility, our need of God and each other.

The service is in three parts. First, the priest uses incense to honour the congregation as people created by God and reminding them that their prayers will rise to heaven like the incense.We are gathered to ask that God will open our hearts and allow us to see something of his beauty and freshness, to see who we really are too, to acknowledge where we have gone wrong and to be forgiven and strengthened for the future.

Secondly, we listen to three readings from the Bible: from the Old Testament (the Jewish scriptures), the New Testament (early Christian letters and texts) and from the Gospels (the early accounts of the life and teachings of Jesus). “The Wisdom of God: let us attend” sings the priest and then censes the scriptures, honouring them as the place in which we encounter the life of God. Because the Gospel is the heartbeat of our community, it is read from the middle of the congregation, surrounded by us all. It is the pulse that gives the body of the Church its life. After the Gospel has been read, a talk (sermon) is given that explores what we have heard and tries to enrich our reflection. Sermons are important at Grosvenor Chapel. We believe God gave us minds and so we must think, ask questions and not be afraid of exploration. We also believe that God gave us hearts and that we need “de-frosting” in order that our lives and love may be enlarged for the sake of the world and people God loves.

Lastly, after giving voice to our faith, praying for those in need and sharing peace with each other (turning to our neighbour and saying “Peace be with you”), we remember the night in which Jesus gathered with his friends, gave them bread and wine and asked them to remember him in this way. Because Jesus Christ is for us the window onto the nature and reality of God, our remembrance is more than just nostalgia for it re-members us together as a Christian family, recalls us to the heart of reality. We believe that Christ is present in the bread and wine (we don´t fully understand how) and that our communion with him leads us into deeper communion with one another. For this reason, we are sent quickly into the world after receiving the bread and wine, so that we might bring Christ´s priorities and peace to our own networks and communities. The last words we hear are “go in the peace of Christ” as we face the door together, reminding us that although the service is over our Christian service in the world is now to begin.

During the service we sing hymns (for which we stand) and the Choir sings various anthems and settings of the words of the eucharistic liturgy. Music is played both before and after the service.

Refreshments are served after the service in rooms behind the Chapel and everyone is invited to stay and to meet their fellow worshippers.

What do I need to wear when I come to church?

Whatever you are comfortable in! Most opt for “smart casual”…There are no rules or regulations and a typical congregation will include all age groups.

Can I bring my children?

Yes! Children aged 3 and above are encouraged to join the Sunday School (please ask a sidesperson when you first come into the church) but children are also welcome to stay in church for the service. A room is provided should your child get a bit restless. We implement the Child Protection Policy of the Church of England.

Who is the Priest in Charge?

The priest in charge is the priest licensed by the Bishop to care for the souls of the locality. The Chapel is about to welcome a  New Priest in Charge, The Reverend Stephen Coleman in November 2023.

Can I make a prayer request?

Of course. Please contact our Administrator through our contact us page and let her know your request. We bring all these requests before God at the main Sunday service. In church there is also a candle stand where people often say a prayer as they light a candle of hope.

What does the Church believe? Christian life is lived in relationship with God through Jesus Christ, and in common with other Christians in the church seeking to deepen that relationship and to follow the way that Jesus taught. For Christians God is understood and known as Father, Son and Holy Spirit: Father – God is love, caring for creation and for every human being as God’s beloved child. Son - God is as he has revealed himself to be in the historical person of Jesus Christ. Jesus’ life, death and resurrection hold the key to knowing and loving God, and to making sense of life, before and after death. Holy Spirit – God is alive, loving and active, comforting and challenging and inspiring faith, justice and truth. God sustains the life of the world, giving spiritual gifts to the church and bearing his spiritual fruit in the world – changed lives and a transformed society.

At the heart of our faith is the belief in the God who transforms. God loves us just the way we are and God loves us so much he doesn´t want us to stay like that.

How do I join Grosvenor Chapel?

Please talk with our Administrator via our contact us page to let her know your request.

What´s the history of the Chapel?

Please see our History of the Chapel page for a full history or read Godly Mayfair by Ann Callender.