imported>Atremari: Added short description

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{{Short description|Church in Edinburgh, Scotland}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=September 2017}}
{{Use British English|date=September 2017}}
{{Infobox church
| name = The Robin Chapel
| fullname = Thistle Trust
| image = Robin Chapel interior, looking east.jpg
| imagesize =

| caption =
| location = [[Edinburgh]] EH16 4EA
| country = [[Scotland]]

| coordinates = {{coord|55|55|54|N|3|07|54|W|display=inline,title}}
| denomination = Inter-denominational
| churchmanship = [[Ecumenical]]
| membership = open to all
| attendance =
| website = [http://www.robinchapel.org.uk www.robinchapel.org.uk]
| former name =
| bull date =
| founded date = 1950, with the motto, 'at spes non fracta mens mihi regnum'.
| founder = Sir Francis Tudsbery & Lady Isabella Tudsbery
| dedication = In memory of their only son Robin
| dedicated date = 1953
| consecrated date = 1953
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| status = Private Chapel
| functional status = in use
| heritage designation = Category A listed, Historic Environment Scotland
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| architect = John F Matthew FRIBA
| architectural type = Arts and Crafts style
| style =
| groundbreaking = 1950
| completed date = 1953
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| organist = Morley Whitehead GRSM FRCO LRAM ARCM
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| verger = Dr.Teodor Borz
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| logo = Robin Chapel banner.png
| logosize = 195px
}}
The '''Robin Chapel''' is an [[Ecumenism|ecumenical]] [[Christianity|Christian]] place of worship in the [[Craigmillar]] area of [[Edinburgh]], [[Scotland]]. It was built in memory of Lieutenant Robin Tudsbery, who was killed in the closing days of [[World War II]]. The chapel sits within the grounds of the Thistle Foundation, a housing complex originally built for disabled armed forces personnel.

== History ==
[[The Thistle Foundation]] was established as a charity in 1944 by Sir Francis and Lady Isabella Tudsbery to provide housing and care for disabled war veterans and their families. Nowadays, the charity offers a variety of services to people with disabilities and health conditions, and has an additional base in Renfrew.

In 1950 the [[foundation stone]] for a chapel was laid in the grounds of the Thistle Foundation. The chapel was conceived and built by the Tudsberys<ref>[http://www.ed.ac.uk/events/doorsopenday/doorsopen2004.pdf Edinburgh Doors Open Day pamphlet]</ref> as a memorial to their only son, Robin, who, as a 25-year-old lieutenant in the [[Royal Horse Guards]] (The Blues), was killed in the last days of [[World War II]]. It was completed in 1953, and was dedicated in the presence of [[Elizabeth Bowes-Lyon|Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother]] and [[Princess Margaret, Countess of Snowdon|Princess Margaret]]. The chapel holds historical importance as a [[war memorial]] and as a pioneering home of ecumenical worship, devoted to "furthering the spirit of unity and concord among Christian people". This spirit is further repeated in the short statement which can be found at the opening of the service sheet:
<blockquote>'The Robin Chapel is dedicated to the glory of God, and to His service, by all Christians and by all denominations of Christ's Church.
Every Service held within the Robin Chapel shall be open accordingly to all Christians of any denomination.'</blockquote>

== Design and construction ==
[[File:Christian battles Apollyon.jpg|thumb|150px|right|Christian battles Apollyon in one of the stained glass windows by Sadie McLellan]]
The chapel was designed by John F Matthew, of the architectural firm ''[[Robert Lorimer|Lorimer]] & Matthew'', in the Scottish [[Arts and Crafts movement|Arts and Crafts]] style. Many craftspeople were involved in the finish of the interior, including Sadie McLellan, who created the stained glass windows which feature scenes from ''[[The Pilgrim's Progress]]'' by [[John Bunyan]].<ref>[http://www.edinburgh.anglican.org/media/resources/edge_jun_06.pdf Newsletter of the Diocese of Edinburgh]</ref> The inscription over the entrance to the chapel is also taken from ''The Pilgrim's Progress'': "Come In, Come In, Eternal Glory Thou Shalt Win". The oak panelling and choir stalls show carvings of animals and birds, a reminder of Robin Tudsbury's love of animals and the countryside surrounding the family home of Champfleurie in [[West Lothian]]. Many of the carvings were worked by Thomas Good (who also did much of the carving in [[St Magnus Cathedral]], Kirkwall).

== Worship ==
The chapel holds weekly services of Choral [[Evening Prayer (Anglican)|Evensong]], as well as special services to commemorate key events in Robin Tudsbery's life, at 4pm. The chapel is open to all, and all have place here, where the love of God dwells.<ref>[http://www.robinchapel.org.uk/robin_religious.html Robin Chapel]</ref> The Chapel Choir (a group of adult mixed voices) sings at the weekly services, led by the [[director of music]] and accompanied on the [[organ (music)|organ]].
The ecumenical nature of the chapel is reflected in the invitation to clergy of many denominations being regularly invited to preach.

Her Majesty The Queen attended the sixtieth anniversary service of the dedication of the chapel in July 2013, accompanied by Prince Edward, The Earl of Wessex.
The Sovereign's Standard of ''The Blues and Royals'' was laid up in The Robin Chapel on 4 October 2015, at a special service to mark the occasion.<ref>Order of Service booklet, on the occasion of ''The Laying Up of The Sovereign's Standard at The Robin Chapel'', 04/10/2015, The Robin Chapel</ref>

[[File:Robin Chapel Sovereigns.jpg|thumb|"Laying Up" service]]

==See also==
*[[List of Category A listed buildings in Edinburgh]]
*[[List of post-war Category A listed buildings in Scotland]]

== References ==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
* [http://www.robinchapel.org.uk/ Robin Chapel]
* [http://www.thistle.org.uk/ Thistle Foundation]
* [http://www.champfleurieestate.co.uk/acatalog/history-of-champfleurie.html A history of the Tudsbury's country estate, Champfleurie]
* [https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/18487131 Robin Tudsbery's grave in Becklingen War Cemetery]

[[Category:Churches in Edinburgh]]
[[Category:Christianity in Edinburgh]]
[[Category:Monuments and memorials in Scotland]]
[[Category:Category A listed buildings in Edinburgh]]
[[Category:Listed churches in Edinburgh]]
[[Category:Household Cavalry]]
[[Category:Chapels in Scotland]]

Robin Chapel - Revision history

imported>Atremari: Added short description