St. George's Memorial Church

Ypres, Belgium
St. George's Memorial Church

St. George's Memorial Church

St. George's Memorial Church

In Ieper (Ypres) today there are two great memorials to the fallen of the First World War: the Menin Gate and St George’s Memorial Church. Each can be viewed with equal importance in regard to perpetual remembrance.

St. George's Church was built as a place of worship and remembrance for those who served in the Ypres Salient, with many memorials donated by families and regiments. Constructed after the war in order to provide a place of worship for the many English families whose men were working on the cemeteries and memorials, it soon became a memorial in itself.

There are many brass plaques representing famous British regiments line the walls and almost every article of furniture has been contributed by those who had a special reason for remembering Ypres.

The Canadian contributions include:

  • the fine panelling around the altar, which was the gift of the Army Garrison at London, Ontario;
  • There are also plaques given by the Canadian Machine Gun Corps and the Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry; and,
  • A stained-glass window dedicated to British and Canadian airmen who perished defending the Ypres Salient.

 

Today, St. George's Memorial Church is still a place of worship, but the church depends largely on donations from those who wish to preserve the sacrifices made during the Battle for Ypres.