"At last the first issue of our magazine in its new form appears! It is late - but better late than never! At one time, it seemed impossible that the magazine should survive, but a great deal of co-operative planning has been done, and now we not only hope to continue it, but to make it better than ever.

And what more appropriate name could we have for the magazine of a church with such a splendid architectural feature than “The Spire”? The spire of St. James’s can be seen for miles around; it is a prominent landmark, looked for and loved by many as they go about their business in the district or return home from London after a day’s work in the city.

It stands for homely, familiar things; it makes us feel that this is where we belong, in a community which has its roots firmly fixed in the best traditions of the past and which therefore can face the future hopefully. It also reminds us of things far greater than this world, yet meant to find expression in this world: it is at the same time an inspiration and a challenge. It calls upon us both to seek God in His glory, and to serve men in their need. We hope that some of the things which it symbolizes and represents will find embodiment in various ways in the pages of this magazine as the months go by.

As this first issue becomes an actuality, and no longer just a dream. we must render our most grateful thanks to those who made the new cover possible - Mr. Webb, who seized his opportunity on one of the few days of sunshine since Christmas, and took twelve photographs of the spire from different angles, refusing to be deterred by the cold; and Mr. J. H. R. Danes, who used some of these excellent photographs in making the actual design from which the block has been made. Both put in hours of work, and gave freely of their great skill and knowledge - and though they had been asked to do this as a purely business proposition, both have refused to make any charge at all - ”We do it for the Church,” they say, and all we can do is to say how grateful we are.

Our printer, Mr. Rosam, the Manager of the Hampton Press, has also been most interested in the whole of this new venture. After consulting his directors, he not only reduced the printing-charge to the level of the highest estimate we could afford to pay, thus making it possible for us to continue with a local firm - which of course we much prefer to do on all grounds - but he also went out of his way to help with suggestions and advice.

By the way, Mr. Webb’s magnificent photographs - which I am sure many of us would like to have - may now be seen in proof on the table in church, and there will be an opportunity given for those who wish to order copies."

Source: The Spire Magazine - 1952 January

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