100-years of the Little Chapel

Monday 15 May 2023

Do you remember Brother Deodat? The Little Chapel Foundation are seeking out anyone who personally remembers the man who designed the iconic building in anticipation of centenary celebrations.

Brother Deodat began work on the modern version of the Little Chapel in 1923, and celebrations are planned this year to mark the 100th anniversary.

In anticipation of that, the Foundation are seeking out anyone still alive that “remembers Brother Deodat in person, especially perhaps a pre-war pupil at Les Vauxbelets Boys College”.

He built the Chapel on the Les Vauxbelets hillside with improvised building materials and without any foundations. Brother Deodat took inspiration from the story of Saint Bernadette and the Basilica at Lourdes in France.

As a consequence, in 2016, it was found to be on the brink of collapse. A major and ongoing programme of renovation work organised by volunteers from the Little Chapel Foundation has worked to rectify the problems.

Pictured: Further improvements have been made to the Chapel ahead of the centenary at the end of the month. 

The Virgin Mary statue was recently removed due to rusting and was being restored by Andrea Gilbert free of charge: “The month of May is a month of devotion to Mary in the Catholic Church, so it was fitting that last weekend the statue was ready to be returned to the grotto where it is now looking as good as new."

The Foundation added that other improvements should be visible at the site including the installation of handrails on the steps leading up to the main door. 

“Several patches of missing china mosaic work have been repaired and an ornate model of the Chapel made from seashells is on display in the lower crypt. It was originally given to Blanchelande College but it will now be possible for a much wider audience to see and appreciate it."

Guernsey Post will also be releasing a special stamp series throughout the year to commemorate the Chapel and its legacy.