I went out walking to check that the outside world still exists. The answer is, it does, but only just.
As the door of St. Dunstan was open – unusually – I wandered in and greatly admired the East Window by Hugh Easton, who had been trained as an artist in France and Italy and then served in the War as a naval commander. He depicts the devastation of the church’s surroundings during the war with wonderfully meticulous topographical precision. A great treat to see some art:-
| Charles | Saumarez | Smith | 
I love that window. I remember some years ago being shown around the church by a woman who was a churchwarden who I seem to remember was married to someone who worked at the Bell Foundry. She was also – I think – a governor at the John Cass school (now renamed, of course) and very involved in classical music. But I may have misremembered all of this! Or conflated different people from different visits. Should have kept a diary!
I had forgotten how good the interior of the church is in terms of its monuments and sense of history – all those Charringtons – , as well as its wonderful churchyard. Charles
It is lovely serene place. I walked through the churchyard a couple of days ago and admired the crocuses coming up. It made me sad not to be able to ring your bell.
Dear Richard, Yes, I thought of you both down by the river and look forward to meeting up again before too long. Charles
She is still around, a fount of information on the church and the area. No longer a school governor, but still active in other endeavours.
For a moment, I thought it might be you ! Charles
I am so glad to hear that, Bridget. My most vivid memory of St Dunstan’s, having grown up in the tower block opposite (Latham House) in the 1960s/70s is of the Passion Play that was staged there under the auspices of Norry McCurry. And, as if by magic, googling the Revd McCurry has just brought up a profile of Vera herself by the gentle author of Spitalfields Life from 2011! I see I had even commented on the article back then! When the internet is at its best!
Thanks for this reminder of one of my favourite London places: I hope I’ll be able to visit it (and the Farm!) again before too long.
When one could travel I made a genealogy trip to London (from the USA) in 2005 and visited St. Dunstan, Stepney. An ancestor was christened there about 14 years before being transported to the North American colonies in indenture. We visited many places in London during that trip but St Dunstan stands out in recollection.
Lovely and placid church and grounds and a wonderfully helpful staff. The East Window moved us greatly: these photos brought back those memories.. Thank you for them.
Yes, it’s been a blessing during lockdown – the space, the green, the peace. Charles
I lived about 40 metres from St. Dunstan’s until I was 16 and I was christened there. Maybe I’m biased but it’s my favourite church. When I was a child I remember they put spotlights in the trees facing the church and one Christmas it snowed, it was beautiful. Sad that it’s doors are locked most of the time. You were very lucky.