London, 22nd February 2022

An historic and unique service of dedication led by leaders of the Roman Catholic and Anglican Churches took place in the recently completed private chapel of Crosby Moran Hall, an original Tudor palace on Chelsea Embankment on the evening of Monday 20th February. Once owned by Sir Thomas More, this completely rebuilt Tudor chapel becomes the first ecumenical space of worship for Roman Catholics and Anglicans in the United Kingdom.

Led by His Eminence Vincent Nichols, Cardinal of Westminster Cathedral and Dr. Jamie Hawkey, Canon Theologian of Westminster Abbey, the carefully chosen service respecting the cultures and traditions of both the Catholic and Anglican churches was attended by some of the United Kingdom and Ireland’s foremost politicians and public servants in recognition of the symbolic importance of the event. Painstakingly rebuilt and restored over a 35-year period by the entrepreneur, philanthropist and expert on Medieval English furniture, Dr. Christopher Moran in collaboration with some of the most respected architectural historians of our times, Crosby Moran Hall is the most important surviving domestic Medieval building in London.

The service fulfils a long-standing personal wish of Dr. Moran to unite two faiths under one roof and reflects Dr Moran’s tireless work over 30 years to build peace between Catholics and Protestants on the Island of Ireland, through his role over nearly 20 years as Chairman of Co-operation Ireland, an all-Ireland peace building organisation.

Attended by Dr. Moran and family, Sir Jeffrey Donaldson, Leader of the DUP, Arlene Foster, Baroness Foster of Aghadrumsee, Ambassador Martin Fraser, Lord Caine, Minister for Northern Ireland, Sir Lynton Crosby, Rt Hon Greg Hands MP, Chairman of the Conservative Party. Sir Hugh Orde,

Sir George Hamilton and Dr Simon Thurley amongst others.

Commenting on the service of dedication, Dr Moran says:

‘The restoration of Crosby Moran Hall focusses on the dates 1475-1650, the start of the Reformation when England historically breaks with Rome. This service is an attempt by myself, working closely with others who share my vision, to re-join the dots. For centuries this house has played host to some of the most important events and people in history. Today was a most profound event, perhaps one of the most significant to have taken place in this house. I like to think that Sir Thomas More would have been pleased at the symbolism that this very special and unique service represents for these islands, and the Island of Ireland in particular, after so many centuries of strife.’

With its carved ceiling, stained glass windows, painted heraldic shields, Carrara marble statuary and exquisite inlaid ‘Cosmati’ marble floor based on the inlaid floor in Westminster Abbey, who advised on the project, which dates back to 1268, the private chapel at Crosby Moran Hall is a breath-taking achievement and is the first recreation of a Tudor chapel to have been undertaken using traditional materials.

Most famously owned by Sir Thomas More, executed for his Catholic faith by Henry VIII in 1535, the original house was located in Bishopsgate in the City of London until its remains were moved brick-by-brick to the site of the garden of Sir Thomas More’s house on Cheyne Walk in Chelsea in Chelsea after the Great War. Acquired by Dr Moran out of public ownership in 1988, the restoration and rebuilding of Crosby Moran Hall is focussed entirely on the period 1475-1650, and remains the only example of a private home where both art and architecture have been put back into their original context in a disciplined way. The completion of the private chapel is the next milestone in a near 40-year project to restore this magnificent building, and will be followed by the restoration of the West Library, The Prospect Room and The Museum.

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NOTES TO EDITORS

Crosby Moran Hall: https://www.christophermoran.org/news/crosby-hall-the-most-important-surviving-domestic-medieval-building-in-london

The most important surviving secular domestic Medieval building in London, Sir John Crosby’s great hall has been incorporated back into a private house by Dr Christopher Moran. Built in Bishopsgate in the heart of the City of London between 1466 and 1475 by the merchant Sir John Crosby, it was always regarded as being one of the most prominent houses in London. Throughout the 16th century it was owned and occupied by significant statemen, merchants and foreign dignitaries, most famously Sir Thomas More but its fortunes in the 17th and 18th centuries were not so good. By the 19th century it was an historic anomaly in the commercial heart of the City. Yet it was always recognised by antiquarians and architects as one of the most precious medieval survivals in the square mile. It was this acknowledgement that led to its relocation to Cheyne Walk opposite Battersea Bridge in 1910. A number of schemes to set it in some sort of context came to nought. Eventually it was acquired on a long lease by the British Federation of University Women, which employed W. H Godfrey to build a tall Arts and Crafts residential block at right angles to the great hall in 1925-27.

In 1988 after the abolition of the Greater London Council (the freeholders of the hall), Dr Christopher Moran purchased it as his London home. Dr Moran had been interested in the hall since the 1970’s. After eight years of planning and design, work began to create a suitable context for the great hall and transform the forlorn piece of history into a private home to house Dr Moran’s important collection of Tudor pictures and furniture.

The architectural setting is now the container for a remarkable Tudor garden designed by the Marchioness of Salisbury, following in detail Tudor designs published in the 1570’s. (Taken from an Extract of an article written for Country Life Magazine by Dr. Simon Thurley)

Dr Christopher Moran: https://www.christophermoran.org

A successful businessman and philanthropist, Dr. Christopher Moran supports charities across national heritage, the arts, architecture, health, faith and international relations.

Co-Operation Ireland https://cooperationireland.org

Is an all-Ireland peace building organisation whose programmes are primarily targeted at young people and marginalised communities which have experienced the worse impacts of the conflict.

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