History

The Church of the Annunciation is one of London's most remarkable yet overlooked historic churches. Standing at the corner of Bryanston Street and Old Quebec Street in Marylebone, it occupies the site of the former Quebec Chapel, a place of worship dating from the late eighteenth century. The present church was built between 1912 and 1914 to the designs of Sir Walter Tapper, one of the leading church architects of the Edwardian period and later Surveyor of the Fabric of Westminster Abbey.

Described by Nikolaus Pevsner as resembling "a fragment of a major medieval church", the Annunciation is an outstanding example of Edwardian Gothic architecture. Built on a constrained urban site, it combines a monumental exterior with a soaring and remarkably unaltered interior. Tapper designed not only the building but many of its fittings, including the screens, altars, organ case and furnishings. The church also contains stained glass and the monumental painted reredos by J. C. Bewsey, one of the most talented ecclesiastical artists of his generation.

The church's history is closely connected with the First World War. Construction was completed only weeks before the outbreak of war in 1914, and elements of Tapper's wider vision for the site were never realised. The church contains several important war memorials, including the Calvary Memorial on Old Quebec Street commemorating parishioners who died in the conflict, and the St George Memorial to Lieutenant Norman Arthur Herbert Somerset, who was killed at Ypres in 1914.

The Annunciation also houses a fine organ by Frederick Rothwell, installed shortly after the church opened, and an exceptional collection of historic vestments, textiles and liturgical furnishings, many supplied by Watts & Co., one of the leading ecclesiastical furnishing companies of the period.

Today, the church is undertaking the National Lottery Heritage Fund-supported project "Sharing our Future", which seeks to conserve the building and its collections while opening its heritage to wider audiences. Through interpretation, exhibitions and community engagement, the project aims to reveal the rich architectural, artistic and social history of the Annunciation and ensure that this Grade II* listed church remains a valued part of London's cultural heritage for generations to come.

Programme

The event will offer a programme of guided heritage tours (BSL led at 11am and BSL interpreted at 1pm and 2.30pm), a special exhibition exploring the fabric collections of the Church of the Annunciation and a drop in, hands on art activity.

Guided tours will examine the development of the site from the eighteenth-century Quebec Chapel to the construction of the present church in 1912–14. Visitors will learn about Sir Walter Tapper's design, the church's exceptional Arts and Crafts craftsmanship, its stained glass, memorials and furnishings, and the people who have shaped the life of the parish over more than two centuries. The tours will draw upon research undertaken as part of the church's current heritage project and material from the parish archives.

Tours will be delivered in two formats: a Deaf-led tour by Deaf Historian John Wilson, at 11am, booking required and two heritage tours with BSL interpretation led by conservation specialist Michael Copeman, at 1pm and 2.30pm booking required. .

Alongside the tours, visitors will be able to explore a temporary exhibition of historic vestments and textiles from the church's collection. The exhibition will showcase significant objects that are not normally on display and will provide information about their craftsmanship, liturgical use and historical importance. A hands on creative printing activity will be available for people to create their own cards and textiles inspired by our history.

The programme is designed to increase public understanding of the church's heritage and collections while making them accessible to a wider and more diverse audience. BSL interpretation will be available throughout the day.