St Pancras Old Church is 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. To support the Appeal, please join us at our series of talks on the history of this fascinating part of London given by leading historians and authors.
For more information please email: st.p.appeal@gmail.com
Lectures
Saturday, 11 May, 5 p.m. as part of the St Pancras Festival weekend
Roger Bowdler No ordinary churchyard: the tombs of St Pancras
Entry for the following lectures £10 towards the Appeal:
Friday, 17 May, 7 p.m.
Philip Davies Lost London
Thursday, 6 June, 7 p.m.
Jane Sidell The Quick and the Dead: The Archaeology of High Speed 1 and the Old St Pancras burial ground
Thursday, 13 June, 7 p.m.
Gillian Tindall The Fields Beneath
Thursday, 12 September, 7 p.m.
Gillian Darley John Soane and St. Pancras
Thursday, 10 October, 7 p.m.
Simon Bradley St. Pancras Station
