The events at Rosslyn Hill Chapel, Hampstead really tap into community needs. I’ve experienced a Labyrinth Walk Meditation which did deliver inner peace. Walking slowly along the winding path to the labyrinth centre, I was compelled to focus on my body and notice my thoughts, to practise what is called mindfulness.
Labyrinth Walk Meditation
Following this event, I asked to receive the chapel’s online newsletters, and since I’ve been impressed with What’s On every month. So, I met up with the chapel’s minister Reverend Kate Dean to find out more.
Rosslyn Hill Chapel, which was built in 1862 by Unitarians, feels more like a large church. Kate explained that by calling it a chapel the free-thinking people who built it could show some humility as non-conforming Christians, believing in the oneness of God rather than the Trinity. Today’s Unitarians draw wisdom from all faiths, the arts and Humanist philosophy. Kate calls the chapel “a spiritual home for open minds.”
We sat in a side section with a small kitchen and refectory table. The chapel has twelve high arched stained-glass windows with two created by leading Victorian artists William Morris and Edward Burne Jones. According to Kate, it’s the window designed by Henry Holiday that is commonly visited by stained glass experts.
The chapel is open all day on Sundays. After a morning service which includes a separate children’s programme called Bright Lights, there’s an afternoon workshop followed by an evening gathering and people are welcome to join for one or all of these free events.
The Chapel’s workshops have either a spiritual or practical aspect – for example, there’s been a Zen workshop entitled Who Is the Other? and a life skill workshop about will writing. Once a month, all ages are invited to join a hands-on interactive morning service. “We want to inspire connection and sharing with hearts, heads and hands,” says Kate.
Personal Development Workshop
For the evening gatherings there could be a spiritual open mic session, live music and meditation or a sound bath. The chapel has great acoustics and a beautiful Steinway piano. If you want to join the weekly Chapel Choir – no audition is required and the first rehearsal is free.
The term time Saturday morning Stay & Play Club is popular with parents, carers and their children up to 5 years old. The club highlights how Kate and her team recognise a need – “there are many classes in the area but few weekend opportunities for working parents to socialise and make vital connections.” Saturday Club provides free form play, music, bubbles and snacks. No need to pre-book but the club is capped at thirty people.
Rosslyn Hill Chapel is at 3 Pilgrim’s Place, NW3
www.rosslynhillchapel.org.uk
020 7433 326712
