THE LITTLE CHAPEL

The Little Chapel of Les Vauxbelets was rebuilt twice before its creator was satisfied with his work. Brother Déodat joined the Guernsey Christian Schools in 1913 and devoted his life to building a miniature replica of the Basilica and Grotto of Our Lady of Lourdes. The first chapel measured less than 9 feet by 5 feet (3 meters x 2 meters), and he destroyed the second, larger building when the portly Bishop of Porthsmouth was unable to pass through the door. The third chapel was bigger and hold ten people. Déodat collected rocks for the foundations and built the walls from boiler clinker. Pillars and archways divide the interior, and steps lead down to the crypt and grotto. The walls, floors and altars are covered in a mosaic of pebbles, seashells and borken china, and light streams through the stained-glass windows. The building fell into disrepair in the 1960s but it has now been restored.

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La Little Chapel di Les Vauxbelets è stata ricostruita due volte prima che il suo creatore fosse soddisfatto del suo lavoro. Brother Déodat seguì i corsi della Scuola Cristiana di Guernsey nel 1913 e dedicò la sua vita alla costruzione di una replica in miniatura della Basilica e della Grotta della Madonna di Lourdes. La prima cappella misurava circa tre metri per due, ma distrusse l’edificio, come fece anche per la seconda versione più grande, quando il corpulento vescovo di Porthsmouth, provando ad  entrarvi, non riuscì ad oltrepassare la porta. La terza cappella era più grande ed in grado di tenere dieci persone. Per la costruzione, Déodat raccolse rocce per le fondamenta e costruì le mura in cemento. Pilastri ed archi suddividono l’interno e alcuni gradini conducono alla cripta e alla grotta. Le pareti, i pavimenti e gli altari sono rivestiti da un mosaico di ciottoli, conchiglie e porcellane rotte, il tutto illuminato da raggi di luce filtrati dalle vetrate. L’edificio cadde in rovina nel 1960, ma ora è stato restaurato.

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