New Church Art Trail (7)

Since setting up the local Church Art Trail between St Peter's Aldborough Hatch, St John's Seven Kings, St Paul's Goodmayes and All Saint's Goodmayes, we have uncovered new information about several of the works which can be found on the Trail.
Most recently, this has been the case in relation to information gained by Ron Jeffries about the Crucifixion which has hung above the main doors at St. Peter's since it was purchased by the then Vicar, the Revd Lawrence Pickles, in the late 1950s or early 1960s. The painting was part of an exhibition in the tennis courts at Valentines Park in Central Ilford. The Revd Pickles took members of the St. Peter's congregation to see the painting, including two youngsters who sang in the choir – both of whom continue to be members of St. Peter's to this day. From the moment it was first brought to St. Peter's people have either appreciated or disliked it – for the painting has been the subject of controversy over those 50 or so years.
The painting is the work of Leonard Wyatt (1922-2008) who was born in Forest Gate and trained at the Hornsey College of Art. He joined the Free Painters Group in its very early days and remained an active member until poor health forced his retirement at the turn of the century. His first one-man exhibition was at the Woodstock Gallery, London, in March 1960, and since that time he exhibited continuously in over 170 exhibitions - including 22 one-man shows. His paintings have been seen in most parts of the UK as well as in Norway, South Africa, USA and Germany.

In 1987, he represented Britain with 11 large paintings in the 49th World Science Fiction Convention, held in Brighton. Although his themes frequently reflected man's quest into space, he was a lover of the English countryside, into which he frequently ventured; he also illustrated five rambling books.

Philip Worth, President of the Free Painters Group, said in July 2008 for Wyatt's Memorial Retrospective Exhibition in Ilford:

“Len gave his all to FPS, not only his riveting artwork in countless group and solo exhibitions, but his huge energy and enthusiasm which helped to mould its destinies. And, in a way, his approach to his own work echoed the sacred objects of FPS – to strive for originality with excellence and, above all, to be completely free in style and in the search for themes. Len was truly a free spirit, going wherever his inspiration took him and owing little to hallowed wisdom or blinkered ‘-isms’.”

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The Byrds - Eight Miles High.

New Church Art Trail

Tryptich by Henry Shelton at St Paul's Goodmayes, forming Stations XI, XII and XIII of the 'Stations of the Crown of Thorns'

Memorial etched glass windows by Henry Shelton at St Paul's Goodmayes depicting scenes from the Life of Christ

Et alias oves hab eo (And other sheep I have) by Anthony Foster

'Light of the World' West Window by Derek Hunt at St John's Seven Kings

Churches have for many years been significant patrons of the visual arts and contain important and interesting works of art. The local Anglican churches in Aldborough Hatch, Goodmayes and Seven Kings are no exception with works of art by some of the best local and national artists of the 19th, 20th and 21st centuries. As a result, the local cluster of Anglican churches has created an Art Trail with a route for visiting each church in turn and highlighting artworks of interest in the four churches.

St Peter’s Aldborough Hatch: A stone carved sculpture by Anthony Foster depicting Christ as the good shepherd can be found here. Foster, who was a pupil of the sculptor Eric Gill sharing Gill’s Roman Catholic faith and commitment to the Distributionist movement, worked in wood and stone and has many Church commissions in the UK. A sculpture of Rebecca at the Well can also be found at the West end of the churchyard while a decorated organ from the 1862 London exhibition and a Crucifixion by Woodford artist, A. Wyatt, are located in the church.

St John the Evangelist Seven Kings: The West window was designed by Derek Hunt and installed in 2005. The theme is “Light of the World” and its design brings together references from St John’s Gospel with elements particular to St John’s. Hunt’s commissioned designs can be found in churches, theatres, schools, public libraries, shopping centres and private buildings in Britain and abroad. The Nativity window was produced by C.E. Kempe & Co. Ltd., a famous Victorian glassworks begun by Charles Eamer Kempe. The window features the company’s trademark tower and wheatsheaf symbol.

St Paul’s Goodmayes: St Paul’s features a wealth of Church Art from stained glass designed by William Morris and Sir Edward Burne-Jones to its most recent commission, a set of Stations of the Crown of Thorns painted by Henry Shelton. Other works of note at St Paul’s include stained glass by Leonard Evetts, the most prolific British stained artist of the 20th century, and a Madonna and Child by the contemporary Roman Catholic artist, Jane Quail.

All Saints Goodmayes: The Millennium clock tower in Goodmayes and the memorial etched glass windows in All Saints, depicting events in the life of Jesus, are both the work of the noted painter of religious art in a contemporary style, Henry Shelton. Shelton is the founder member of commission4mission which aims to encourage the commissioning and placing of contemporary Christian Art in churches, as a means of fundraising for charities and as a mission opportunity for the churches involved.

Creation of the Art Trail was a recommendation in the report produced following a Community Street Audit of Aldborough Road South by the Seven Kings & Newbury Park Resident's Association and the Fitter for Walking project of Living Streets. Printing of the Art Trail leaflets has been funded by Living Streets as part of the Fitter for Walking project and copies of the leaflets can now be found in local churches. Fitter for Walking helps residents create streets they can be proud of. It’s funded by the Big Lottery Fund, along with contributions from local authorities to work in five areas of England. Redbridge has a regional Fitter For Walking Coordinator – if you would like to be involved in the project please get in touch! To do so, please contact Tom Platt - Email: Tom.platt@livingstreets.org.uk or Tel: 020 7377 4917.

The churches on this Art Trail are all within walking distance of each other and are close to parks and other local amenities. Why not think of planning a day to see the art works and to exercise by walking or cycling the Art Trail?

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John Coltrane - Psalm.