St Mary's Perivale Features in New Book

Ancient church is celebrated in new work

St Mary’s Perivale is the oldest church in West London dating back to the 12th century. Its fascinating story is told in a new, lavishly illustrated book by Dr Hugh Mather, the church’s chief custodian in recent years.

The book was launched at St Mary’s on Tuesday 19 September at a reception attended by the Mayor of Ealing (Cllr Simon Woodroofe), MPs Steve Pound and Rupa Huq, a bevy of former mayors and councillors and many more who know and love this magical building, while concert pianist Viv McLean gave a ravishing performance of Gershwin’s Rhapsody in Blue.

Dr Mather pointed out some special features of the church such as the ‘leper’s window’ and the ‘weeping chancel’ and recounted the story of how the building was saved in the 1970s from being turned into an architect’s studio. Today it is of course a flourishing arts centre hosting over 100 concerts a year, organised and presented by Dr Mather. Income from these and other events is used to maintain the church in pristine condition so that future generations may enjoy it.
[Note  Some readers may have seen the church being used for a wedding scene in the recent TV serial Mr Selfridge.]


To order a copy of St Mary’s Perivale: a short illustrated history, price £8.00, please email hmather@btopenworld.com or telephone him at 020 8997 7691 

For more information about the church and the concerts, see www.st-marys-perivale.org.uk

26th September 2017