St Bride’s Church London architecture photos, Fleet Street building pictures

St Bride’s Church Building

Fleet Street Architecture, London, UK design by Sir Christopher Wren architect

29 May 2012

Location: Fleet Street

Date built: 1672; spire 1701-03

Design: architect Christopher Wren

Address: Fleet St, London EC4Y 8AU

Phone: 020 7427 0133

Sir Terry Farrell to give first Wren Talk

photograph from Save St Bride’s: Appeal

St Bride’s London

Renowned architect and urban designer Sir Terry Farrell is to give the inaugural Wren Talk, an annual event to celebrate the life and works of Sir Christopher Wren.

Farrell, who is particularly well known for his master planning work in London, will consider Wren’s post-fire vision for the capital, particularly in the context of the current London Plan. He will ask whether a ‘grand plan’ – common in many European cities – could work in a city as diverse as London and reflects on how the city would look had Wren’s design been adopted.

The annual lecture series is the brainchild of Design Council Cabe Chairman Paul Finch, who believes it will fill a gaping hole in the cultural calendar. He commented:

“Christopher Wren is one of the greatest architects this country has ever produced and his legacy plays a part in the life of millions of Londoners and visitors every day,” he said. “That in itself makes his life worth celebrating, without even taking into consideration his extraordinary contribution to medicine and astronomy.”

photograph from Save St Bride’s: Appeal

Sir Terry Farrell added: “The issue of city making and whether it is or should be the result of grand design or pragmatic incrementalism is as relevant today as it was for Wren after the Fire. I’m greatly looking forward to exploring this topic at the inaugural Wren talk.”

The talk will take place as part of the London Festival of Architecture at St Bride’s Church, one of Wren’s acknowledged masterpieces in the City of London. St Bride’s has recently launched the INPSIRE! Appeal, which Finch also chairs, to raise £2.5 million for vital repairs to the Spire and fabric of the Grade I listed building. Sir Terry Farrell’s Wren Talk is taking place on Thursday 28th June 2012 at 7pm at St Bride’s Church, Fleet Street, London. The event is free to attend, although a minimum £10 donation to the INSPIRE! Appeal will be requested on the door.

To book a ticket, please go to: http://stbrides-wrentalk.eventbrite.co.uk/

Terry Farrell

22 Mar 2012

St Bride’s Church London

Save St Bride’s

INSPIRE! Appeal launched and first corporate donor announced

The INSPIRE! Appeal to save St Bride’s Church in Fleet Street was officially launched last night, with a lecture by noted author, historian and Wren expert Adrian Tinniswood.

Introducing the speaker, Rector of St Bride’s and Archdeacon of London David Meara told the audience of invited guests from the media, property and financial worlds, as well as members of the congregation, that delaying repair and renovation work to the Church was no longer an option.

photo from Save St Bride’s: Appeal

In his talk, Tinniswood, the author of the definiteive life of Christopher Wren, His Invention So Fertile, described an austere and sometimes difficult man whose contributions to the development of medicine and astronomy were no less important than his impact on the skyline of London. The audience were left to ponder how poorer the City’s streetscape would be had Wren stuck to either of his earlier passions.

As one of the handful of City churches designed by Wren personally, St Bride’s must be saved, he said.

Following the lecture, the Appeal was endorsed by The Bishop of London, Richard Chartres, who spoke of the importance of St Bride’s as the place for journalists to pray and to mourn lost colleagues.

It has also been revealed that News International has provided the appeal’s first corporate donation, which will be added to the £300,000 that the Church itself has committed – its entire reserves for this year. Pre-launch publicity has also resulted in donations from the general public totalling some £40,000.

The support of News International reinforces the Church’s ongoing link with the media, despite it having vacated Fleet Street some years ago. Often referred to as the ‘journalists’ church’, it continues to be the venue for weddings, funerals and other events for members of the press. News International proprietor Rupert Murdoch is a familiar face, frequently visiting when he is in the UK.

Welcoming the donations, Patron of the INSPIRE! Appeal and Master of the Worshipful Company of Paviors, Sir Michael Bear said:
“It is fantastic to be able to start our campaign with a substantial donation. When we consider with excitement the new buildings that are appearing all over the City of London, we mustn’t forget the historic fabric that makes such a vital contribution to making the capital great. St Bride’s is an example of this; part of the glue that holds the city skyline together.

photo from Save St Bride’s: Appeal

“This support is, however, just the beginning of the campaign and we still have a long way to go to guarantee the future of this fantastic and important building.” The INSPIRE! Appeal aims to secure at least £2.5 million during 2012 for essential repair and conservation work to its magnificent spire, which has deteriorated over time with damage to stonework now causing serious concern. Without vital work the building – which is open to visitors from all over the world seven days a week – could be forced to close.

In addition to damaged stonework, grime has built up over the last 40 years since the church was cleaned, with carbon deposits an inch deep in some places. Once the spire has been renovated, the aim is to restore it to its former glory and undertake much needed work to the interior, which has remained untouched for more than 30 years.

To find out more or to donate, please visit the website: http://www.stbrides.com/inspire/

Previously:

12 Jan 2012

St Bride’s London

Location: Fleet Street

1672; spire 1701-03

Design: Christopher Wren

Architectural style: English Baroque

photographs from Save St Bride’s: Appeal

St Bride’s Fleet Street

Save St Bride’s: Appeal launched to save the ‘Cathedral of Fleet Street’ One of Sir Christopher Wren’s masterpieces, St Bride’s Church in Fleet Street, London is under threat unless funding can be secured for essential repair and conservation work to its magnificent spire.

The Grade I listed church, sometimes called the ‘Cathedral of Fleet Street’ is the tallest of Wren’s City churches and has stood for more than 300 years. Over time the spire has deteriorated with damage to stonework now causing serious concern. Without vital work the building – which is open to visitors from all over the world seven days a week – could be forced to close.

The INSPIRE! Appeal aims to secure at least £2.5 million during 2012 from the congregation and visitors, as well as local businesses and the media, with which it has been associated since Wynkyn de Worde established his printing press some 500 years ago in what is now the churchyard of St Bride’s.

The INSPIRE! Appeal will be formally launched on 21st March 2012, with a lecture by well-known author and historian Adrian Tinniswood, whose book ‘His Invention So Fertile’ tracks the life of Sir Christopher Wren and describes him as “quite simply the greatest architect that England has ever known”.

The Venerable David Meara, Archdeacon of London and Rector of St Bride’s commented on the INSPIRE! Appeal: “St Bride’s is a working church; a building that is in use seven days a week, with an active congregation of residents and local business people. In addition to the daily life of St Bride’s there are regular weddings, christenings, memorials, and concerts, plus a large number of overseas visitors. “Since renovation work was last carried out, almost 70 years ago, the church has survived lightning, acid rain, smoky chimneys and extensive piling, as well as the ever present birds. The falling stonework is now becoming a grave concern and we desperately need these funds. We have committed £300,000 from our reserves, but need more.”

A special fundraising Working Group has been set up under the Chairmanship of Paul Finch OBE, Chairman of Design Council Cabe. Several events are being planned for 2012 for potential corporate donors, the congregation and general public.

Save St Bride’s London Appeal images / information received 120112

St Bride’s Church London

Location: Fleet Street

1672; spire 1701-03

Christopher Wren

St Bride’s Fleet Street church of the press, printing, journalism

St Bride’s Church architect : Christopher Wren

Location: St Bride’s, Fleet Street, London, England, UK

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