Biggin Hill Memorial Museum

Sep 19

Although the RAF finally left Biggin Hill in 1992, the Ministry of Defence still maintains this small, brick-built chapel as a marvellously evocative example of a type of building once common on airfields up and down the country. It features 12 stained glass windows designed by Hugh Easton.

History

Although the RAF finally left Biggin Hill in 1992, the Ministry of Defence still maintains this small, brick-built chapel as a marvellously evocative example of a type of building once common on airfields up and down the country. It is also a fitting national memorial to Biggin Hill’s contribution to winning the Battle of Britain in 1940.

However, the chapel is not the original one (which was destroyed by fire in 1946) but a 1951 replacement. Architects were from the Air Ministry Works Directorate.

The new building was paid for by public subscription, launched and supported by Sir Winston Churchill. Well-proportioned but austere from the outside, it recreates as far as possible the effect and spirit of the original’s interior, being of plain brick. It has the same aircraft hangar shape, the same layout and matching pulpit, reredos and altar cloth. A picture of the original church hangs in the chapel.

The chapel’s twelve stained glass windows evoke the spirit and courage of the wartime aircrews. They were designed by Hugh Easton, who also designed the Battle of Britain Memorial Windows in Westminster Abbey. Each window is to a common theme, 'The cloud of witnesses', and depicts the spirit of a pilot holding a different Squadron Badge. Worth noting additionally are two plaques honouring Polish and Canadian airmen and one of Delft tiles recognising the role of Dutch airmen.

In the adjoining St George’s Room four windows were installed in 1985 to commemorate the vital contribution of the supporting ground crews. Designed by Goddard and Gibbs they were paid for by public subscription. A notable feature is a representation of three Military Medals to recognise the bravery of three WAAF members during two Luftwaffe attacks in 1940.

The Chapel seats 80 and regular weekly services are still held on Saturday evenings and Sunday mornings, alternating between the Church of England, the Church of Scotland and the Free Churches.