Chapel of St Luke Heatherwood
The Chapel of St Luke Heatherwood Hospital was funded by the league of friends. It was built to be used by all denominations and today stands as a beacon to the hard work and effort of the league and local fund raising groups. The fundraising for this was officially launched at the Fete in 1960. In February 1965 the foundation stone was laid by Major General David Dawney.
On the 7th June 1966 the chapel was officially dedicated by the bishop of Reading Rt Rev Eric Knell.
The chapel pictures on this web page were taken in December 2001. May Ettridge picture 1985 - Roy Ryman Pictures 1998.
Chapel of St Luke 2001
Entrance Dedication Plaque.Click to enlarge:-
St Luke's Chapel Entrance.Click to enlarge:-
View From Walkway of St Luke's Chapel Entrance.
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Inside St Luke's At Christmas 2001.Click to enlarge:-
Inside St Luke's At Christmas 2001
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Inside St Luke's At Christmas 2001.
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Inside St Luke's At Christmas 2001.
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Inside St Luke's View From Altar.
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Outside St Luke's from Ward 10.
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Outside Stained Glass Window.
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St Luke's From Emi Unit Walkway.
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Press Report from 1966
“Eight years of planning, fund raising and hard work reached their fulfillment on Tuesday when the chapel built by the League of Friends of Heatherwood Hospital, Ascot was officially opened.
The dedication ceremony was performed by the Rt Rev Eric Knell Bishop of Reading and the Rev G Mann Secretary to the hospital Chaplaincy board of the free church federal council. Afterwards the chapel was officially handed over by the queens cousin, the Hon Gerald Lascelles president of the League of Friends, to the Windsor Hospital Group Management Committee.
The Chapel was built in a quiet corner of the grounds of Heatherwood to cater for the spiritual needs of patients and staff, cost over £7000. The League has already raised over £6000 from various fund raising functions, and has a debt of some £1,100 still to pay off. Employee's of Oakleigh Animal Products Ascot made a contribution of £1200.
It was a dream of the former Matron of Heatherwood Miss Doris Howes, to build a hospital chapel. A dream which began to be translated into reality one day in 1958 when Mr John Coxwell Chairman of the then recently formed League of Friends of Heatherwood Hospital, looked over Miss Howes shoulder and read on her list of wants a chapel for the hospital. From then on the league whose aim is to supply for staff, amenities not provided under the National health scheme and to give personal service, went into action.”
Furnishing
Besides the hard work of the league of friends, local people and organizations contributed generously to the internal furnishing. A picture frame in the front entrance lists the contributors.
- Organ. Mr W.J. Spencer - Mr G Jackson - Holy Trinity Church Sunningdale.
- Glastonbury Chair. Womens Institute Cranbourne.
- Prayer Desk. St Mary's Church Cranbourne.
- Stained Glass Windows. Mr J S Coxwell.
- Candlesticks. St Mary's Guild, Winkfield.
- Lectern. Inner Wheel Ascot.
- Bible. Miss M E Cory.
- Hymn Board & Numbers. Mrs W Pack.
- Offertory Plate. Mrs E Gardner.
- Altar Frontal. Mr & Mrs F Newport.
- Alms Bags. Sunninghill Brownies.
- Carpeting. Mr J R Armitage.
- Hymn Books. Mr G E Butcher.
- Vases. Sunningdale Mother's Union.
- Chairs. Lt Col J.S.Ross. & Mrs L.M. Brooke.
St Luke's Chapel 2001
A walk round the chapel today reveals additional plaques have been added since the official opening.
In Grateful Memory of Richard Towsend Ahern Surgeon 1948-1966 was added to right hand wall close to altar.
In Memory of founder Chairman of the League Mr John Coxwell a plaque was added to the left hand internal wall close to the altar on May 8th 1977.
The league of friends decided in August 1989 to add a plaque to the external wall of the chapel to show it's contribution to the passing visitors.
In Memory of Doreen Burgess Fondly Known as Sister B. 28.11.22 - 18.1.99. located by the stained glass window.
If you have any information pictures or stories about Heatherwood we would love to add them to these pages.
Heatherwood History
Secretary
P.J. Davidson-Smith
Contact The League Secretary
