North Elevation West Elevation

What a fabulous weekend to launch our new Jubilee year project - “Opening our Doors”. On the 5th, 6th and 7th July we have organized a Festival weekend to not only celebrate our Saint’s day, but also to launch officially our project to develop the West Porch.

The outline drawings are shown in detail below, however in brief, the plans will involve the redevelopment of the West Porch to create a wonderful new space within which will be an office for the church and community use, a quiet room for private discussion and counselling and a toilet with disabled access and baby changing facilities. Even more exciting is the design of the new porch. The roof will be glazed, as will the doors, and this will let much needed light resonate into the church, as well as allowing a direct view from St. James’s Road, down the length of the church.

We will be launching the project at our Grand Family B.B.Q. on 7th July 2002, and there we will announce our plans of how we aim to raise enough support, sponsorship and external funding over the next six months to allow us to begin building work early in 2003. Our aim is then to “OPEN OUR NEW DOORS” on St. James’s Day 2003 - What a challenge! If you would like further information on our “OPENING OUR DOORS” project, would like to support us in any way, or would like to book some tickets for any of the events during our Festival Weekend, please contact Kim Smith on 020 8979 2617.

Source: Kim Smith, The Spire Magazine - 2002 July

Friday 5th July
ORGAN RECITAL by Christopher Cromar
Celebrating the centenary of composer Maurice Duruflé (1902-1986)
Plus Bach and Mozart
With Christopher Hodges singing baritone

Christopher Cromar

After the Recital

Christopher Hodges

Saturday 6th July
CONCERT by The Apocalypse Singers
Brahms and Elgar - Part songs, music for clarinet, violin, harp, horns
Christopher Hodges (Conductor) Christopher Cromar (Organ)
Martin Hinckley (clarinet) Fiona Hodges (violin) Andrea Rowett (harp)

Martin Hinckley

Fiona Hodges

Andrea Rowett

Our Patronal Festival this year marked the official launch of our fund-raising campaign for "Opening Our Doors". The idea was introduced at the Spire Open Day in June, and then a Festival Weekend was organised in July, not only to celebrate our Saint’s day, but also to launch officially the project. The weekend was a splendid occasion, with something for everyone. Our organist, Christopher Cromar, started the weekend with a marvellous organ recital on the Friday evening. A member of the audience complimented Christopher with the words “that was absolutely stunning”, and indeed it was. On Saturday evening the Apocalypse Singers provided a feast of music and song, as did the church choir and The Travellers Band at Family Communion on Sunday morning.

The culmination of the weekend was a Grand Family Barbecue on Sunday evening. About 130 people, across all ages from as young as 4 months, enjoyed fine food and drink, jazz music and fun activities that included a golf putting teaser and a bouncy castle. The youngsters especially enjoyed the chance to throw wet sponges at the unfortunate person in the stocks, including Brian as the first victim! After his drenching, Brian launched the "Opening Our Doors" Appeal. The first donation to be received was from the Brownies (thank you ladies!), and within a few days we had received donations and promises worth well over £6000. A great start!"

Source: The Spire Magazine - 2002 August