| A mini-chapel on Guernsey |
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This Little Chapel on the island of Guernsey (one of the Channel Islands) is a replica of the Cathedral at Lourdes painstakingly made of broken crockery!
The Little Chapel was a work of art and labour of love built by Brother Déodat, who started work in March 1914. His plan was to create a miniature version of the famous grotto and basilica at Lourdes in France. The version you see today is actually the third version, the world's smallest chapel. The first attempt, measuring a tiny 9 feet long by 4.5 feet wide, was criticised, so Brother Deodat spent the following night demolishing the building. He soon set to work again and, in July 1914, the grotto was completed and officially blessed. This survived until September 1923 when Brother Deodat demolished it again so that the Bishop of Portsmouth would be able to fit through the doorway.
He soon set about the construction of a third chapel - which we see today. The building operation proved laborious, especially the collecting of pebbles and broken china to decorate the shrine. Then suddenly the Little Chapel became famous, thanks to an illustrated article in the Daily Mirror. Presents poured in from around the world and islanders brought coloured china to Les Vauxbelets with the Lieutenant-Governor offering a remarkable mother-of-pearl.
In 1939 Brother Deodat returned to France because of ill health. After his departure the care of the Little Chapel was entrusted to Brother Cephas, who continued to decorate the building until his retirement in 1965. In 1977, a committee was established to restore the chapel and today it falls under the care of Blanchelande College. There is no charge to enter the Chapel as it relies totally on public donations. The Little Chapel is ideal for very small weddings, and makes a great photo opportunity. Currently closed until March 2018 for restoration works to be completed, it is well worth a visit if you are on the island. |
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