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HIDDEN HALTON - ST GEORGE’S CHURCH Revd (Sqn Ldr) Kevin Capelin-Jones
T
he current St George’s church was planned and built after the first St George’s station church – located in the Old Workshops – burnt to the ground in 1960. The new church was opened in 1963 with the chaplains conducting services in the Burnett Gym in between.
support was made for it. The later (current) oak pedestal was presented and dedicated to St George’s in Apr 1989.
Services had been held at Halton Camp from before the RAF’s formation; records indicate forces’ chaplains taking services at least from Oct 1916 and not only on station, but at outlying elements at Tring Isolation Hospital, Tring Military Hospital, the Aylesbury Military Hospital, Halefield Camp and Wendover YMCA.
At the front of the church above the vestry door (left), permission was given to display the Royal Arms; to the right above the emergency door is the Coat of Arms of the Diocese of Oxford (Church of England), and one can also see to the right (behind the pulpit) the No1 School of Technical Training Crest above another door which would have been reserved for the Commandant (and his family or guests) to enter and exit by. The ensigns hanging along the South Wall are from Commonwealth Air Forces that had apprentices train at Halton.
Outdoor Church Parade, 1921.
for RTS graduations on Henderson Parade Square.
The original St George’s Church, in the Old Workshops.
The Quetta Memorial.
Few elements survive from that first station church, but as can be seen from the photo of the interior, the Bristol Fighter Lectern (reading desk) did survive, although it was too large in its old form, so a new 6
As you enter the church, the first thing that strikes you is the sense of internal space – with the roof structure and beams such as they were able to be made – there are none of the usual pillars one finds in old churches.
The Quetta Memorial remembers those who trained under the Apprenticeship Scheme at Halton from No 3 (Indian) Wing, and 5 & 31 (AC) Sqns and died in the earthquake in the early hours of 31 May 1935. Fittingly, it is a ‘Goldstars’ (31Sqn) Tornado that sits as the mascot
The Last Supper Tapestry’s entire origin is lost in both history and legend. It arrived at St Luke’s Chapel, (within the Princess Mary’s Royal Air Force Hospital, Halton) from the hospital at RAF Uxbridge, and was subsequently transferred to St George’s. As can be seen up close, the tapestry is unfinished, and it has been suggested (now legend) that Mainpoint Spring 2022
