NADFAS Bloomsbury Event
"St George's was modelled on one of the Seven Wonders of the World. The task for our generation is to ensure that it survives as a wonder for our children." Richard Chartres, The Bishop of London, Vice-President of NADFAS
Supported by the World Monuments Fund and the Paul Mellon Fund of Architectural Heritage, Nicholas Hawksmoor’s magnificent church, St George’s, Bloomsbury has been the subject of a five year restoration programme. As part of its association with the World Monuments Fund in Britain, NADFAS organised a day of celebration on Friday, 1 December to mark the return of the Church to its former glory.
The day began at The Paul Mellon Centre, where William Palin, Assistant Curator at Sir John Soane's Museum, gave a fascinating insight into the life and work of Nicholas Hawksmoor, an architect of rare genius and originality - illustrating Hawksmoor’s rise from his early years in the office of Sir Christopher Wren to his time working for the '50 New Churches' Commission.
In the afternoon, NADFAS lecturer Sarah Lenton presented a performance of Baroque music, interspersed with “visits” from some 18th century Bloomsbury characters by courtesy of the actor, Nicholas Rowe. It was wonderful to be able to appreciate Handel’s music in such inspirational surroundings, so beautifully performed on the harpsichord by Robert Howarth and sung by Jonathan Peter Kenny (counter tenor) and Julia Gooding (soprano).
In closing the day, the National Chairman, Susan Sellers was delighted to present a cheque towards the completion of the final stages of the restoration and in his thanks, the Rector, the Reverend Dr Perry Butler reminded members that NADFAS already had an association with St George’s, paying tribute to North London DFAS Church Recorders, who had made a Record of the Church in 1996 and East Surrey Area who had sponsored one of the elegant new pews designed by the local ecclesiastical furniture maker, Luke Hughes.
June Robinson
