A historical tour (approx. 45mins) of the ground floor and gardens of Sacred Heart High School in Hammersmith within the context of new research into the history of the site from 1669 to the present day, which has been published in a book entitled, ‘The Nunnery at Hammersmith’.
Following a brief overview in the chapel at the start, the tour will point out significant features of the site relating to its history including a statue, altar and organ smuggled out of France. You will hear about some recent restoration projects and others being planned.
This was the location of a clandestine convent and school from 1669 and was the refuge for Benedictines escaping persecution in the French Revolution. Memorial stones exist on the site from that period. It then became the first Catholic seminary in London after the Reformation and it is the seminary building and chapel which still remain. These were both designed by John Francis Bentley, architect of Westminster Cathedral.
Eventually the buildings were sold to the Society of the Sacred Heart and their own imprint on the current buildings is significant. You will be able to access the cloister garden and view 130m of cloister wall paintings depicting the life of Christ. After the tour you can soak up some images in an exhibition.
Tours can be booked for 12.30, 13.30 or 14.30 pm. Tickets free.
A fuller 'talk' event about the history of this site also listed as a separate part of the festival ‘Lost women's voices -and a true story you'll never forget'.
