Smita Bora on upcoming tours of the oldest building in Finchley

Promotional poster for London Festival of Architecture

Hear some fascinating stories about our church, including a sundial featured in a painting by Turner by joining us on a free-of-charge heritage tour of St Mary-at-Finchley’s church and churchyard.

We are the oldest building in Finchley. Learn about the restoration of our Grade II* listed building with seven Grade II listed monuments and our exciting Give me shelter! National Lottery Heritage Fund community project.

There will also be an exhibition about our project at Finchley Church End Library throughout June 2025.

We will be running tours of our church and churchyard at the following times:
Wednesday 4th June 2pm
Thursday 5th June 10am and 2pm
Friday 6th June 10am and 2pm (there will also be a 5-mile heritage walk at 2pm followed by drinks and nibbles at 4pm)
Saturday 7th June 10am
Sunday 8th June 2pm

St Mary’s will be working in partnership with the London Borough of Barnet and neighbour Barnet Mencap to revitalise Grade II* St Mary’s, the heart of Finchley Church End Conservation Area, to maximise use of the site and improve physical, cultural and digital access for the community.

The project involves:

-Repair of the leaking roof of the Grade II* listed church and conservation work on seven Grade II listed monuments.
-A community garden as a place of peace and refuge. Use of the garden by Barnet Mencap for horticultural learning and social groups. It will help to develop easy-to-read printed and audio heritage guides.
-A historic footpath will connect seven local schools and link St Mary’s to the Capital Ring and Dollis Valley paths to form a 5-mile circular route.
-Digitisation of the churchyard and burial information will create an interactive map and photographs to give world-wide access to history enthusiasts – the first church in the Diocese of London to take part in the Church of England’s National Burial Survey!
-Republishing heritage literature and images from the 13th century onwards will allow St Mary’s to share its fascinating history so it is accessible locally, nationally and internationally. The churchyard’s monuments include an obelisk monument to Major John Cartwright (“Father of Reform”) and a Georgian sundial which features in a 1793 watercolour of St Mary’s by JMW Turner.

You can find more information and book tickets here.

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