Present
The chapel has been royal property for centuries as part of the Savoy Hospital estate and remains under the aegis of the monarch as part of the Duchy of Lancaster; a royal peculiar. The chaplain is appointed by the Duchy (and since 1937 as chaplain of the Royal Victorian Order also) and, in effect, it is "parish church" to the Savoy Estate, the Duchy of Lancaster's principal London land holding. Armorial plaques of GCVOs past and present are displayed in the chapel.
Following its musical tradition, a three manual J. W. Walker & Sons Ltd organ designed by William Cole was dedicated by Queen Elizabeth II in 1965. The trebles of the Savoy Choir either join in Year 6 (while still at primary school) or join after a voice test in Year 7 at Saint Olave's Grammar School. Choristers who join the choir in Year 6 gain a place at Saint Olave's provided they pass an academic test.
Most of the chapel's costs and maintenance are met by the Duchy, with recent works including landscaping of its garden in honour of Golden Jubilee of Queen Elizabeth II in 2002 and restoration of the chapel ceiling in 1999. The chapel was further refurbished and a new stained glass window commemorating the Diamond Jubilee of Queen Elizabeth II was unveiled by Queen Elizabeth in November 2012.
The Savoy Chapel uses the 1662 Book of Common Prayer and the King James Bible. Services are held on Sundays, and the chapel is open to the public Monday to Thursday.
Read more about this topic: Savoy Chapel
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—William Shakespeare (1564–1616)
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