What is Friends of St James the Less about?
Friends of SJTL are people who want to see the church building restored in a way that honours George Edmund Street’s vision of it.
Latest Newsletter
We aim to publish quarterly newsletters, with regular updates on the restoration project.
Please click the link below to read the latest issue.
Friends Newsletter Summer 2024
Friends Newsletter Spring 2024
GEORGE EDMUND STREET
‘The hardest working man in architecture’
St James the Less in association with The Victorian Society
continues to celebrate the
2024 BICENTENARY of the birth of G E Street, famous Victorian architect in the Gothic Revival style, responsible for the Royal Courts of Justice and numerous fine British churches, including St James the Less, Pimlico with a talk on
The Monk Sisters at St James the Less: Women and Architectural Patronage in Victorian Britain,
by Alex Bremner
September 9th, 2024
6:00 pm – 8:00 pm
In this talk, Professor Alex Bremner will explore the role of Jane Emily and Penelope Anna Monk in the commissioning of St James the Less, Pimlico, and what, if any, impact their vision for the church had on G. E. Street’s design.
Extant sources will be examined for what they reveal about the day-to-day oversight of the project, the working relationship between architect and patron, and the keen interest shown in the church by Emily Jane Monk, especially. The role of the sisters will be considered in the context of the wider phenomenon of female architectural patronage during the period, along with the status and sexual identity of middle-class women, including the rise of feminist ideals because this will shed light on the life and activities of two truly extraordinary women of the age. We are left with the thought, could this remarkable building, and thus the career of Street himself, have been secured in the way they were without the Monk sisters intervention and determination?
Alex Bremner is Professor of Architectural History at the University of Edinburgh and the award-winning author of Imperial Gothic: Religious Architecture and High Anglican Culture in the British Empire,
c.1840-17870.
Ticket prices
How can I become a Friend of St James the Less?
Everyone is welcome to become a Friend of St James the Less, regardless of beliefs or style of worship – you do not have to be a member of the congregation.
What do I get for being involved?
Leave your mark in ensuring this remarkable building is preserved for the future, as a functioning church, a magnificent venue and a prime example of High Victorian Gothic Architecture
Support simply as a Friend and/or serve on the Friends’ Committee
Contribute to keeping the church in good decorative working order
Receive regular newsletter updates from the Friends’ Committee (at least twice a year)
Information on, and participation in, our fundraising
Invitations to events organised by the Friends’ Committee
Hands-on involvement in the conservation work where this is possible
How much does it cost?
The annual membership fee is just £20 — you can join online or by downloading and completing the form below and arranging a standing order with your bank.
Can I support the current life & mission of the church?
As part of your membership, you will be most welcome to join the Friends of St James the Less in Mission and you will receive an additional Prayer Letter every six months with news of our current activities as a church serving the parish.
You can also donate using the link here and choosing the buildings renovation option from the dropdown box to donate towards the renovations, to support the current life and mission choose from General or Open Door Meal options.
How will the Friends of St James the Less make a difference?
The Friends of SJTL will help conserve, restore, maintain, and improve the fabric, furnishings and fittings of St James the Less, Westminster, in conjunction with the PCC.
As a Friend you will be eligible to serve on the Friends of SJTL Committee, which is a sub-committee of the PCC. The Committee can raise funds, receive grants and donations, collect annual subscriptions and organise fundraising events, in order to raise the public profile of St James the Less and help towards the restoration, preservation and development of the church.
Led by Alex Sherratt, Conservation Architect, The Friends are working on a strategic plan, to include:
Conserving and re-finishing the external lily-finial railings, which have their own Grade II* listing
Replacing and insulating the church roof, with restoration and cleaning of the Clayton and Bell ceilings (see photo below)
Cleaning all the internal brick and stonework
Restoration of internal and external ironwork
Lifting and restoring the tile flooring and installing underfloor heating, to return the church to Street’s original interior layout
Installing a fire detection and alarm system and CCTV cameras
Installing a bespoke lighting and AV system.
Sign me up!
Download the form below and, when completed, please return the top half to SJTL Parish Office and give the bottom half to your bank. This will set up a Standing Order for your membership of the Friends of St James the Less and will enrol you as a member.
Friends of St James the Less Form
Friends of St James the Less Terms of Reference
