The consecration of William Cawley’s Almshouse Chapel

Chichester is to mark the 400th anniversary of the consecration of William Cawley’s Almshouse Chapel.

City historian Alan Green said: “Last year saw a festival to mark the 400th anniversary of the founding by William Cawley of his Almshouse, otherwise known as The Hospital of St Bartholomew. 2026 sees the 400th anniversary of the consecration of its chapel, and on Monday, August 24 the Friends of St Batholomew’s Chapel are organising a day of events to mark it.

“Situated in Northgate, not far from Chichester Festival Theatre, it is the white painted building, adorned with a clock and bellcote that sits behind high iron gates, and during the day the tiny chapel, dedicated to St Bartholomew and now in private ownership, will be open for public viewing, and there will also be two services at which parts of the 1626 Order of Consecration will be used.

“William Cawley was an important figure in 17th-century Chichester: as well as founding his almshouse in 1625, he led for Parliament during the Civil War and achieved notoriety by becoming one of the signatories to the death warrant of King Charles I in 1649, earning him the local epithet Cawley the Regicide. He fled the country at the Restoration and died in Switzerland, but it is possible that his body was brought back in secret and is one of the three such discovered under the floor of the chapel.

“At the Restoration his almshouse passed to the Mayor and Corporation who, in 1681, converted it into a workhouse, in which role it continued until 1936 when it closed. After that the workhouse site was progressively redeveloped, first as a hospital laundry in the 1930s and then for housing in the early 21st century. Fortunately Cawley’s original buildings have survived all these changes and the interior of the chapel is still very much in its 1625 condition and a hidden gem.”

The programme of free events for Monday, August 24 is:

1030 chapel open to the public; choir will be in open rehearsal for the service of Sung Mattins at 1100

1045 Short talk by historian Alan Green

1100 Service of Sung Mattins by the Prayer Book Society, led by The Very Rev Nicholas Frayling, former Dean of Chichester

1200 Chapel closed until 1700

1700 Chapel open for viewing and short talks by historian Alan Green

1800 Choral Evensong led by Alison Green and St Paul’s Choir followed by tea served in the forecourt and further short talks if required

1900 Chapel closes.

During the day a book by Alan Green, Mr Cawley’s Almshouse, which explores the history of the almshouse from 1625 to the present day, will be on sale. Copies are also available to purchase from West Sussex Record Office, St Olav’s Christian Bookshop and the Novium Museum.