The Heritage Trust

Established to maintain, preserve and improve the fabric, ornaments, furniture and monuments of the Priory Church. Registered as a Charity No. 283623

The Priory Church was founded in AD 1123. as part of a monastery of Augustinian Canons. The Priory was dissolved in 1539 and the nave of the Church was demolished. The monastic buildings were largely intact and the Canons' choir and sanctuary were preserved for parish use. Under Queen Mary, there was briefly a house of Dominican friars here, before it reverted to being a Parish Church under Queen Elizabeth I. Various parts of the building were damaged or destroyed through the centuries until the restoration began in the 19th century, first in the 1860s and then, under Sir Aston Webb, in the 1880s and 90s and on into the 20th century. St Bartholomew the Great is a living church but it also attracts those of no particular religious belief because of its architecture and sense of history.

The Heritage Trust unites those who have a particular interest in and affection for the Priory Church. It promotes greater knowledge of the religious, social and architectural history of the Church. It also raises funds to ensure that the church building is maintained, externally and internally, in the best possible condition. It is not itself a religious charity

The Trust, whose Patrons include Lord Hurd of Westwell and Lord Marshall of Knightsbridge, is currently committed to two major projects:

• the Choir Endowment Fund - an appeal to City companies and trusts to ensure the future of choral music at St Bartholomew's by providing a £600,000 endowment.
• the Lady Chapel reredos - a project to enclose the altarpiece of the Blessed Virgin Mary and the Christ-child in a gilded wooden reredos and to provide statues for the empty niches above.

Individuals and companies can join the Trust as Friends. The Trust, in association with the Church, arranges an annual programme of events, including

• the Foundation Day Lecture given by the Rector, the Revd Dr Martin Dudley, on some aspect of the history of the Priory and Church.
• the History Day on the Saturday of the Founder's weekend (closest to September 20th) with a variety of speakers on historical and related topics.
• the Benefactors' Day Service and Founder's Dinner - an occasion to celebrate all those who have contributed to the beauty of the Priory Church.
• a number of visits to places of interest, which include the Charterhouse (Sutton's Hospital), St John's Gate, the Temple Church, and Lambeth Palace.

Membership is open to all who support the objectives of the Trust. The minimum subscription is £10 per annum. Please write to:

The Secretary
St Bartholomew the Great Heritage Trust
SBG Parish Office
1st Floor
6-9 Kinghorn Street
London
EC1A 7HT

N.B. United States citizens are invited to join the American Friends.

Copyright © St Bartholomew the Great 2008
Website by Joseph Dudley