The Jewel in the Strand
On the face of it, this project is about a beautiful 18th-century church, but it’s about people and communities, not bricks and mortar.
Although the outputs are based on physical realities such as opening up the crypt space, the driving force behind each and every output is the impact that they can have in the lives of the individuals and communities who occupy the Strand Aldwych and surrounding area for leisure, work and study.
St Mary le Strand's Jewel in the Strand project is central to the wider Strand Aldwych Project. St Mary le Strand is a sanctuary – a place of welcome, worship and well-being – at the heart of the Strand Aldwych of Northbank.
This area is in the middle of a long-term transformation with the East Strand being pedestrianised to create a new landscaped public space and ‘global cultural thinking quarter’ for the City of Westminster.
In partnership with National Lottery Heritage Fund, the vision for this project is that St Mary le Strand will be a restored and redeveloped church building and garden, with a renewed mission and ministry positioned within a newly established townscape setting.
Proposed Works
It will transform into a place that is relevant to the 21st century and beyond, maximising on space and presenting flexible and up-to-date facilities; attracting new audiences, and ensuring that the Church can be accessed and enjoyed by everyone.
St Mary le Strand will work with key partners, including The Northbank Business Improvement District (BID), King’s College London, the London School of Economics, Somerset House, the Courtauld, and other local partners and stakeholders to deliver this ground-breaking project.
Proposed capital works will:
- deliver urgent repair and conservation works
- introduce flexible Nave furnishings
- sustainably renew heating, lighting, and AV systems
- improve the Churchyard
- introduce step-free access
- create the Strand Crypt, opening up the Church to new audiences, building on its current track record of delivering concerts, art exhibitions and a variety of one-off cultural and community events
In addition to proposed capital works, the Church will work with local project partners, volunteers, and consultant Activity Planners in the Development Phase to research and tell more diverse stories through on-site interventions and activities, making this site relevant and accessible to everyone, regardless of their background, for generations to come.
If you would like to find out more about the project or find out about ways to get involved, you can sponsor a flower or contact us for further information about ways to sponsor the new Strand Crypt and other aspects of the project.