Saving St Denis

Event details

SPAB Spring Lecture Series 2021: Transformations Part II
Join us this spring for a further series of talks continuing our theme of transformation. Through a mixture of recent projects and current thinking about heritage, sustainability and conservation, we consider physical change and new uses for old buildings on the one hand and, on the other, the power of conservation projects to transform places and communities. We will also look at how new ways of thinking about heritage can transform the way people engage with old buildings and historic places.  

Saving St Denis: a transformation at East Hatley
Presented by Rachel Morley, Friends of Friendless Churches
1 April 2021, 12:00 - 13:00 (BST)
Live Online Lecture
£5 pp - SPAB members & Friends of Friendless Churches
£6 pp - Non-members

This little Cambridgeshire church combines ancient origins with substantial nineteenth work by William Butterfield.  Having fallen into serious disrepair it was stripped out and abandoned in the 1960s, though the local council preserved the site as a nature reserve and carried out initial repairs, stabilising the roof and walls. In 2016 the church was transferred to the charity Friends of Friendless Churches, which exists to save disused but beautiful places of worship from demolition, decay and unsympathetic conversion and now cares for more than 50 ancient churches across England and Wales. Its Director, Rachel Morley, describes the local dedication and careful work which is gently transforming St Denis from an ivy-smothered semi-ruin to a building with a bright future.

You may also be interested in our other online lectures in the Spring Lecture Series 2021:
From Granby Four Streets to Spitalfields: community led regeneration, 4 March 2021;
Transforming Places: revitalising historic high streets, 11 March 2021;
Brixton Windmill: from building at risk to revival, 18 March 2021.

IT requirements: Please note that this is an online lecture and will be held via a webinar platform. You will be sent instructions on how to join the session the day before the lecture. To participate, all you need is an internet connection, and a laptop, computer or phone with the ability to play video and audio.   

Accessibility: please contact the SPAB before booking to discuss any special access requirements.

Booking Terms & Conditions
 

Image credit: Buzz Associates