A wonderful series of talks on the history of the church and surrounding area is to be given by leading historians and authors between May and October this year.
St Pancras Old Church is one of the oldest established in London. The altar houses a 7th century altar stone, and medieval fabric survives, although much of the visible church dates from 1848. It retains its rural character, where the River Fleet once flowed, surrounded by a Victorian park and historic burial grounds, including the tombs of John Soane, Mary Wollstonecraft and many others of note. These monuments, and the church itself, have survived the dramatic impact of the railway lines running through the churchyard, into and out of the train station that takes its name.
Ancient drains, however, threaten the longevity of this picturesque Grade II* listed building and the St Pancras Old Church appeal is being launched on St Pancras Day, May 12, 2013 to help raise funds. All money raised will go towards building new drains and securing the cracks in the stone walls.
Email or more information about the St Pancras Old Church Appeal.
Lectures
No ordinary churchyard: the tombs of St Pancras
Roger Bowdler
Saturday, 11 May, 5 p.m. as part of the St Pancras Festival weekend
Entry for the following lectures £10 towards the Appeal:
Lost London
Philip Davies
Friday, 17 May, 7 p.m.
The Quick and the Dead: The Archaeology of High Speed 1 and the Old St Pancras burial ground
Jane Sidell
Thursday, 6 June, 7 p.m.
The Fields Beneath
Gillian Tindall
Thursday, 13 June, 7 p.m.
John Soane and St Pancras
Gillian Darley
Thursday, 12 September, 7 p.m.
St Pancras Station
Simon Bradley
Thursday, 10 October, 7 p.m.