BBC's antiques expert to lead Farm Street's 160th celebrations

Historian and antiques expert, Paul Atterbury, will be giving a talk next month on the 19th century architect and designer, Augustus Welby Pugin, in one of the central London churches in which his craft is beautifully demonstrated.

The Jesuit Church of the Immaculate Conception - familiarly known as Farm Street Church in Mayfair - is celebrating its 160th anniversary in 2009, and as part of its celebrations, it will be holding 'An Evening with Pugin' on Wednesday, 8 July at 7pm.

In addition to his imaginative and sumptuous designs, Augustus Welby Northmore Pugin (1812 -1852) was also a theorist of design.  He was the son of a French draughtsman, who trained him to draw Gothic buildings for use as illustrations in his books.  This led to him being recognized as a leader of the Gothic revival movement in architecture.  He is now best remembered for his work on churches and the Palace of Westminster, following its destruction by fire in 1834.  Other works include the interior of St Chad's Cathedral, Erdington Abbey, and Oscott College, all in Birmingham.

The architect of Farm Street Church was Joseph James Scoles (1798-1863), who asked Pugin to design the main altarpiece.  Victoria Farrow of the Pugin Society describes the altar and reredos as 'a riot of carving, brasswork, and decoration'.

Paul Atterbury has been a member of BBC TV's Antiques Roadshow team of experts for many years, working usually in the miscellaneous section which gives him ample opportunity to explore the antiques and collectables of the 19th and 20th centuries.  In 1994, he staged the exhibition 'Pugin: A Gothic Passion' and he is also co-editor of the book of the same name (Yale University Press).

This event on 8 July is one of several during the month, as Parish Priest, Fr William Pearsall SJ, explains:
'July is our Ignatian month, as well as a month of celebration in honour of the 160th anniversary of Farm Street Church .  So we will be welcoming Bishop Bernard Longley who will be celebrating Mass for us on 1 July, with Confirmations.  Then at the end of the month, we will be marking the Feast of St Ignatius Loyola, the founder of the Jesuits, with Mass at 6pm on 31 July and the Jesuit Alumni reception.  Finally, a very warm invitation is extended to everyone to join us for our Parish Garden Party on August 2 at 12 noon, including, at 3pm, a tour of Farm Street Church.'

For more information, click on the link below.


 Farm Street Church

 The Pugin Society

 More about Paul Atterbury