With the highly ambitious £9.2 million restoration of St George’s nearing completion, the Rector, the Reverend Dr Perry Butler, held a day of thanksgiving on 5th October 2006.  At the morning service, Prince Michael of Kent joined the American Ambassador, Robert H. Tuttle, in unveiling a plaque in honour of Paul Mellon, the late American philanthropist. His estate contributed a remarkable $8 million to help make the restoration possible, with the Heritage Lottery Fund and others contributing the remainder.

 

In the evening, the church was delighted to welcome the Duke and Duchess of Bedford to participate in a Solemn Eucharist, conducted by the Bishop of Edmonton. On both occasions, the beautiful Bedford silver was on show.

 

This silver, donated to the church by the Russell family in the early 18^th century, is normally kept in the British Museum, but on this occasion the Duke and Duchess put the ancestral plate to use. They presented the bread and wine for holy communion to the Bishop on the silver paten and chalice.

 

Fr Perry said, “We were very pleased indeed that the Duke and Duchess could join us and use the ancestral gift on this special day. We still have restoration work to do in re-instating the North Gallery but normal worship has resumed with special opening times for visitors on weekdays and at weekends as well as regular Sunday recitals. We are very grateful to Paul Mellon and to everyone who has worked so hard to restore our historic church.”                                                                                                   

Carol service with choir

 

Carols around the Crib – families especially welcome

10pm First Mass of Christmas

 

Sung Eucharist