Golders Green church conservation project underway
Historic wall paintings at St Jude-on-the-Hill are being restored, with public talks planned for Heritage Open Day.
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A significant conservation project is currently underway at St Jude-on-the-Hill in Golders Green, focusing on the restoration of the church's historic wall paintings. The initiative, which commenced in March 2026, is anticipated to be completed by January 2027. The church is preparing to host public talks on Thursday, 17 September 2026, as part of the national Heritage Open Day event, offering insights into the restoration process.
Artwork and Conservation Process
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The church's nave features 57 wall paintings, supplemented by additional works created by English artist Walter Percival Starmer between 1920 and 1929. Polly Westlake, a senior wall painting conservator at Cliveden Conservation, described the artwork as "unusual in both their style and technique, very unlike this country’s style. They’re modern with a touch of Italian Renaissance. Colourful and spectacular!" The conservation team has been undertaking cleaning, stabilisation, and repairs to areas where paint has started to flake. Westlake noted that the paintings are generally in good condition, attributing their longevity partly to Starmer's use of a spirit fresco technique, which employs a durable base of wax, resin, and oil.
Before commencing the restoration, the team conducted extensive investigations into the paintings and their materials. The project has also facilitated international collaboration, with the Commonwealth Heritage Forum providing funding and supporting two interns from Pakistan who are working with the Cliveden Conservation team. These interns aim to develop similar conservation practices in Pakistan upon their return.
Heritage Open Day Talks
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During the Heritage Open Day event on Thursday, 17 September 2026, from 10 am to 3 pm, visitors can attend free talks at St Jude-on-the-Hill. These sessions will cover the original materials and techniques used by Walter Starmer, as well as the specialist methods employed by the conservation team to restore the paintings' vibrancy. The talks will also feature large-scale photographs illustrating the paintings before and after conservation, alongside examples of specialist materials used. Activities for younger visitors, including image-finding games and colouring inspired by the murals, are also planned.
Polly Westlake described St Jude's as "an unusual building with unusual paintings. A hidden gem that should not be missed."
Questions this report answers
+When did the conservation project at St Jude-on-the-Hill begin and when will it finish?
The conservation project at St Jude-on-the-Hill began in March 2026. It is expected to be completed in January 2027, with the restoration work focusing on the church's historic wall paintings.
+What are the Heritage Open Day talks about?
The Heritage Open Day talks on Thursday, 17 September 2026, will explain the conservation of the wall paintings at St Jude-on-the-Hill. They will cover Walter Starmer's original techniques and the specialist methods used in the restoration.
+How many wall paintings are in the church nave?
There are 57 wall paintings located in the nave of St Jude-on-the-Hill. In addition to these, there are further paintings created by the artist Walter Starmer.
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