'A Church of Rank and Position', Sir George Gilbert Scott & St Mary Abbots

A lecture by Dr Chris Miele celebrating the 150 anniversary of St Mary Abbots, Kensington.

St Mary Abbots was one of the largest parishes in London. As its population grew in the nineteenth century so it was subject to many subdivisions, each getting its own new church. The historic parish church, however, was left on its own, in poor condition, until 1868 when its modernising, energetic vicar, the Archdeacon Sinclair, decided to promote its redevelopment. Without a competition, interview or, it appears, any initial discussions at all, the building committee wrote to offer Gilbert Scott the commission. He was then in the later stages of his career, a public figure and recently knighted for his work on the Albert Memorial, and delegating a lot of instructions to his office machine.

St Mary's was one of a dozen or instructions from this period that he took a personal interest in, and understandably given the prominence of the site, the celebrity of the parish and wealth of its parishioners. Unusually, the sources were Scottish, in deference to his client, the vicar, a noted Anglican from north of the border. He had in hand at the time one of his largest projects, the new buildings for Glasgow University, the prelude to one of the last great projects of his career, St Mary's Cathedral in Edinburgh.

This lecture will set the commission in the context of Scott's later career and examine how he synthesized different sources. Like so many large town churches, this one was completed in phases, and the tower came later under the supervision of his son John Oldrid who was himself responsible for one of the most memorable elements of the building, its cloistered walk to the south.

Dr Chris Miele is an architectural historian, town planner and partner in a central London property consultancy. Outside of office hours, he has over the years published extensively on Victorian architecture and related topics. He is working, fitfully, on a biography of Scott.

FAQs

How do I get to St Mary Abbots, Kensington?

On foot...St Mary Abbots church is on the corner of Kensington Church Street, and Kensington High Street - opposite Wholefoods / the Barkers building.

By bus...Buses stopping close to the church : Bus Routes: 9, 10, 27, 28, 49, 52, 70, 328, 452, C1

By underground...The nearest Underground station is High Street Kensington on the District and Circle Lines (4 minutes walk). Notting Hill Gate on the Central Line is also within walking distance. None all of these stations can be accessed by people in wheelchairs.

How can I contact the organiser with any questions?

Please contact Ruth Miller by email at events@victoriansociety.org.uk before the day of the event.

Do I have to bring my printed ticket to the event?

No. You can show your ticket on your phone or tablet. We can also book you in by your name on our list of attendees.

Is it ok if the name on my ticket or registration doesn't match the person who attends?

Yes, that’s fine.