A very successful visit by the Duke of Gloucester who officially opened the tin tabernacle which is approx. 10m x 5m, plus a small vestry and little porch.

One of the nicest things about the day was the attendance by various people from South Wonston who were delighted that the Museum had saved the building and brought it back to life as a ‘living’ building. The Rev Bob Clarkson who was the minister in charge of the church when it was in use came along, as did the current Assistant Curate at Lower Dever Benefice the Rev Karen Kousseff. A lady who went to Sunday School in the chapel was there – she now plays the organ in the village of West Dean, just down the road from the Museum. The original altar is in situ in the chapel, plus the original altar cloth and frontal. The original font has an interesting story – the original South Wonston main church burnt down, and during the clear up they found an old font buried under the floorboards. This font was then used in the chapel, then relocated to the main church when it was rebuilt. A replica of this font is now being made for the chapel by apprentice stonemasons.

Quote from Henry Warner, Head of Operations at the Museum: “We were delighted that the Duke of Gloucester was able to visit the Museum and officiate at the opening of this exciting project. We were also delighted to welcome so many people from the South Wonston area who remembered and used the tin tabernacle when it was a functioning chapel, and who were very moved knowing that the Museum has not only saved it but brought it back to life as a ‘living’ building.”

The shot of the Duke in the Chapel has our Museum Director, Richard Pailthorpe on the left, with representatives from South Wonston on the right.