HM The Queen visits Abbey's Sacristy project
Thursday, 3rd October 2024
Her Majesty The Queen visited Westminster Abbey on Thursday 3rd October to see the site of The King Charles III Sacristy where building work will begin early next year to transform the welcome the Abbey offers the millions of people who come from around the world to enjoy one of the world’s great churches.
Her Majesty became the project's Patron in June
The Queen was met by the Dean of Westminster, the Very Reverend Dr David Hoyle, who along with the architect behind the project, Ptolemy Dean, showed her the site of the new building, which is being constructed on the footprint of the Abbey’s former medieval Great Sacristy. There, she saw some of the archaeological finds made on the site, including dozens of burials. Among these is a remarkably well-preserved chalk-lined grave believed to belong to an 11th-century monk.
A modern welcome on a medieval footprint
Designed in sympathy with the Abbey's Gothic architecture, the new building will reflect the history of the original Sacristy by freeing the Abbey for worship and pilgrimage. It will house state-of-the-art welcome, ticketing and security facilities, replacing those currently occupying the north transept, and will serve as a gathering place on state occasions.
The project will also see visitors and worshippers following in the footsteps of royalty by entering the Abbey through the Great West Door – the ceremonial entrance used for royal weddings, funerals and coronations for centuries. From here, they will enjoy magnificent views of the full length of the church and be inspired by the Abbey as it really is: a House of God and a House of Kings.
A tour of the Abbey
After viewing the Sacristy site, Her Majesty was given a tour of the Abbey church where she met some of the staff who welcome visitors throughout the year, and saw the impact of the visitor infrastructure which is currently housed there. She then visited the historic Jerusalem Chamber where she was briefed further on the project and met supporters and members of the project team.
Preserving the Abbey in all its beauty and wonder
Built in the 1250s and an integral part of Henry III's Abbey, the medieval Sacristy was where the monks kept vestments, altar linens and other artefacts needed for their daily worship, allowing the Abbey itself to be preserved in all its beauty and wonder as a sacred space. There are indications that it also played a crucial role in the life of the Abbey as a place for the formation of processions.
Fundraising for the £13 million project has begun, and the construction phase is due to start early next year. It is hoped that the new building will be completed in 2026.
