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WHAT WE’VE BEEN DOING THIS MONTH

Our Architects have prepared a Condition Survey, detailing the repair needs and priorities of the church fabric. This is currently being costed by our Quantity Surveyors. Next month, we’ll be working together to develop a strategy for the repair of St Sepulchre.

Our Business Planners have been in ‘consultation mode’, to better understand the needs and views of our friends and partners. This will help to shape our future plans and secure our long-term sustainability. THANK YOU TO EVERYONE WHO COMPLETED OUR SURVEY, this data is currently being analysed!

Our Heritage Consultants have been continuing to gather and review information about the history of our important building. They have developed illustrated plans that tell us how St Sepulchre changed over time and also ways of understanding it’s significance. This understanding is critical to guide proposals to improve the building.

With a better understanding of the significance of St Sepulchre and our future needs, our Architects are starting to explore options to improve our building that will support our misson, community programmes and income generation.

Our programme of trial activities is well underway! Next month we’ll be delivering wellbeing walks (check the Holy Sepulchre Website for bookings).

Our Evaluation Consultants are guiding us to reflect and learn lessons to inform our decision making throughout the project.

Item descripWe are delighted to announce the three successful applicants shortlisted in the competition to design, manufacture and install the new Korean War commemorative stained glass window at Holy Sepulchre, the National Musicians' Church, with The Musicians’ Memorial chapel and The Royal Fusiliers Chapel. The artists are:

· Douglas Hogg

· John Reyntiens

· Helen Whittaker

The competition attracted submissions of an exceptionally high standard, including entries from some of UK’s leading stained glass artists. Selecting just three finalists was an incredibly difficult task, and we are now excited to begin the next stage of the competition as each artist develops a full window design.

Through this permanent work of art, we will honour those who served, remember those who made the ultimate sacrifice, and recognise the extraordinary contribution that veterans continue to make to our communities today. Within Holy Sepulchre, the National Musicians’ Church and Home of the Royal Fusiliers Chapel, the window will become a lasting place of remembrance, thanksgiving and prayer for generations to come.

We are also delighted to formally launch the £120,000 Korean War Window Fund and announce that, even before its public launch, over half the funding has already been secured. This includes a generous donation of £60,000 from the United Grand Lodge of England.tion.

Jonathan Spence, Pro Grand Master and Pro First Grand Principal, said: "This donation reflects our commitment to this important and lasting memorial to those who served in the Korean War and to the continuing contribution made by veterans throughout our communities. It also celebrates our long-standing relationship with HRH The Duke of Kent, Patron of the window project and Grand Master of the United Grand Lodge of England."

The Revd Nick Mottershead, Rector of Holy Sepulchre and Chaplain to the Royal Fusiliers, said: "This is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to ensure that the sacrifice of those who served in Korea is permanently recognised. Through this new stained glass window we can honour those who served, remember those who made the ultimate sacrifice, and celebrate the continuing contribution that veterans make to society today.”

All of us involved in the project are deeply grateful to Jonathan Spence and the United Grand Lodge of England for this remarkable gift. Their generosity gives tremendous momentum to the project, and we look forward to seeing the shortlisted artists develop designs that will inspire remembrance, reflection and hope for generations to come. With more than half of the £120,000 project cost already secured before the public launch of the appeal, we now invite individuals, City Corporates and residents, veterans, regiments, charities, organisations and not just those with a connection to the Korean War and the military, but all who recognise the debt we owe to help complete this lasting national memorial. Every gift, large or small, will help create this permanent tribute.

The three shortlisted artists will now develop their detailed designs before the successful commission is announced at the end of the year. We look forward to sharing their creative journey through the educational workshops and films we will be making, and inviting many others to become part of creating this lasting national memorial.

Notes to Editors For more information please contact Office@HSL.Church

About Holy Sepulchre

The Grade I listed Holy Sepulchre, Holborn is London’s largest parish church. It has a fourfold role as a parish church, a city church, home of the Royal Fusiliers Memorial Chapel and the National Musicians’ Church.

There has been a worshipping community here since at least 1137. The walls, porch and tower of the current building date from the 15th century. There interior of the church was rebuilt in 1667-71 after the Great Fire of London in the Classical style, the organ and its finely detailed case also dates to this period. The roofs and ceiling were reconstructed in the mid-19th century.

The church is associated with John Rogers (1505-55), bible translator and vicar of Holy Sepulchre from 1550-53, before his imprisonment and execution under the reign of Mary I. Captain John Smith (1579-1631), one of the founders of Jamestown, Virginia is buried in the south aisle. Sir Henry Wood (1869-1944), founder of the ‘Proms’ is buried in the Musicians’ Chapel. Thomas Culpeper (1514-1541), courtier to Henry VII is buried in an unmarked location.

About the Korean War Stained Glass Window Competition Further information available at https://hsl.church/rfwindow

On Monday 13 July, a group of Year 7 students visited the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in the City of London for a day of art history, exploration and creativity.

https://www.harrisbermondsey.org.uk/academy-life/news-highlights/item/137/year-7-students-become-art-historians-in-the-city-of-london

The church has been a place of worship for nearly 900 years, and students were given the opportunity to explore the historic space, discovering memorials, symbols and architectural features that tell the story of its long history. Many were particularly excited to access areas of the church that are not usually open to visitors. 

The highlight of the day was an Art History workshop. After learning some key principles of art history, students became detectives, using magnifying glasses to closely examine two paintings by Raphael: The Marriage of the Virgin and Madonna della Seggiola. Through careful observation, they identified details and symbols that revealed deeper meanings within the artwork, discussing how artists communicate ideas to their audiences. 

Students then applied these same skills to the church's beautiful stained-glass windows, exploring how colour, imagery and symbolism can be used to tell stories and express beliefs.

After a picnic lunch in the church gardens, students took part in a creative workshop where they designed their own stained-glass windows. Their designs incorporated symbols, words and images that reflected their values, interests and hopes for the future. 

One student, Lujain, based her design on the idea that although people may seem different, we are all connected and have more in common than we realise. She particularly enjoyed exploring the church and having the opportunity to create something that could contribute to the space and wider community. 

The trip provided a wonderful opportunity for students to develop their skills as art historians, learning how artists use symbols, imagery and visual storytelling to communicate ideas. It also gave students the chance to express their own values and aspirations through creative design. As always, our students represented Harris Academy Bermondsey brilliantly with their curiosity, enthusiasm and thoughtful contributions throughout the day. 

One of the City of London’s most iconic churches, Holy Sepulchre (HSL), has been awarded a £158,758 grant from The National Lottery Heritage Fund to deliver a Resilient Heritage project and secure a sustainable future. Over the next nine months, the project will explore options to secure the fabric of the Grade I listed church, which is in need of vital repair work. The funding will also go towards supporting the development of a suite of new activities including wellbeing walks, an art and heritage school workshop, and a food distribution volunteering event.

HSL, which is known as the National Musician’s Church and home of the Musicians Memorial Chapel and Royal Fusiliers Memorial Chapel, has now appointed expert professional teams to identify a clear strategy for capital works that will protect and enhance the building, identify actions towards net-zero carbon, and expand its vibrant community programmes.

Rev Nick Mottershead, Rector of Holy Sepulchre London, said: “Securing The National Lottery Heritage Fund grant is fantastic news to ensure we can continue to not just progress on restoration and conservation of our building, monuments and green spaces, but also expand our range of community focused local, national and international activities. Over the last five years, we have made great progress raising £1.5m to undertake some urgent ceiling works, restore a Model D Steinway Piano, and establish a large range of musical services including the Sir Henry Wood End of Proms service. We have also designed a range of dementia friendly community activities including Musicali-Tea and Communi-Tea and more coming soon to contribute to the health, wellbeing and community belonging in London. The NLHF funding is a real vote of confidence in HSL and its activities – we hope it will be central to supporting the life of the church for the next 1,000 years.”

Stuart McLeod, Director of England - London & South at The National Lottery Heritage Fund, said: “We are delighted to support Holy Sepulchre with this important resilience project, made possible thanks to National Lottery players. As one of the City of London’s most historic and culturally significant churches, it plays a unique role in connecting people with heritage and community life. This project will help safeguard the building for future generations while enabling the church to broaden its reach through inclusive programmes that support wellbeing, learning and volunteering. We look forward to seeing Holy Sepulchre continue to thrive as a welcoming space for all.