Monday 22 July 2024
Image: The sarcophagus-shaped High Altar at St Mary’s Church with gilded wood and reredos designed by Martin Travers, early 20th Century
The Church of St Mary’s, Bourne Street is, architecturally and artistically, one of the most distinguished late 19th century Anglo-Catholic mission churches in London. To mark the 150th anniversary of consecration, a study day is planned on Saturday 14 September, 2024.
Described as `stately’ by Sir John Betjeman, the building is recognised by a Grade II* listing and the neighbouring Presbytery is listed at Grade II. Since its consecration in 1874, the church has been the subject of near-continuous enrichment, embellishments and expansions.
Like so many red-brick mission churches of this type, the elevation to the street is a sombre and austere one but this belies the opulence and magnificence of the decoration and fittings of the interior.
The Study Day will for the first time explore in detail how the Church came to be founded and its considerable contribution to 19th, 20th and 21st century art and architecture. Whilst concentrating upon St Mary’s it will set the church in a wider context.
Visit the St Mary’s website St Mary's Bourne Street (stmarysbournest.com) to find out more about the church and the series of events to mark its 150th anniversary.
