Hundreds of worshippers have tuned in to participate in services from the beautiful chapel of the old Royal Naval College in Greenwich, London.
The Old Royal Naval College chapel in Greenwich is shown with a large painting behind the altar

The Chapel of St Peter and St Paul, which was constructed in 1751, started offering online services during lockdown. 

Revd Pat Mann has seen her congregation increase from a regular 120 people to several hundred viewers online.

Services use the Book of Common Prayer which remains a permanent feature of the Church of England's worship and is a key source for its doctrine. In recent months these traditional services have seen a large rise in attendance

The Greenwich congregation growth was confirmed when more than 600 people watched a Solemn Service of Choral Evensong on the evening before the funeral of HRH Prince Philip last month. 

“I try not to think about the numbers that might be watching,” she said. 

Revd Pat Mann who is the vicar of the Old Royal Naval College chapel in Greenwich

“It has been humbling knowing some of the people you are praying for, that may be many miles away or in another country, are watching and praying with you.”

The stunning chapel was first built following designs by Sir Christopher Wren only to be later rebuilt in neoclassical style complete with nautical motifs. 

The Facebook image before the service goes out live is a picture of the whole chapel, while during the service the “the beauty and grandeur of our interior” is highlighted. 

Revd Pat Mann said: “We are blessed that we can show the beauty of our building.  

“We have a very fine ceiling and altar painting and share these with those watching as part of the broadcast.”

Videos of services from the chapel are available on YouTube.


Source URL: https://www.churchofengland.org/media-and-news/stories-and-features/beautiful-church-attracts-hundreds-online-worshippers-amid