St Thomas Cathedral, Acton
St Thomas Syriac Orthodox Cathedral | |
---|---|
Saint Thomas Syriac Orthodox Cathedral London | |
Syriac Orthodox | |
History | |
Former name(s) | St Saviour's Centre for the Deaf |
Status | Church |
St Thomas Syriac Orthodox Cathedral Acton is a
On 25 November 2016, the cathedral was consecrated as a cathedral for the
History
St Saviour's Church, Oxford Street
The congregation was first established at a site in
The first service there was held in 1873. The building became a great symbol for deaf people of their rights to play a full part in church and society.[6]
St Saviour's Church, Acton
The church moved to a new site in Acton in 1925, when the Oxford Street location was required for redevelopment into the present
The church and social centre closed in 2014 following a loss of funding, and insufficient financial reserves to maintain the premises.[1] The final church service was held on Wednesday 24 September 2014, at which the Bishop of Willesden officiated.[2]
St Thomas Syriac Orthodox Cathedral Acton
On 25 November 2016, the cathedral was consecrated as a cathedral for the
Deaf ministry
Although St Saviour's Church has now closed, the congregation continues to meet. The Chaplaincy among Deaf and Deafblind people has four other meeting locations,[8] although St Saviour's was the only dedicated premises, and the only church with specially designed facilities for the deaf. The closure of St Saviour's corresponds with the appointment of a new full-time Chaplain for the Chaplaincy service.[9] Chaplains are ordained priests appointed to specialist ministries, in this case the provision of worship and social activities for the deaf and deafblind community in London.
The church building
In September 2014, the Diocese of London announced that St Saviour's Church building had been sold to the
Documents and archives associated with the church are currently being researched by the History of Place project,[11] and will feature as part of a display at the Victoria and Albert Museum during 2018.[12]
References
- ^ a b c Tracey, Emma (27 April 2014). "UK's only deaf church to close". BBC News. Retrieved 27 April 2014.
- ^ a b "The Consecration of St Thomas Syriac Orthodox Cathedral in London and Britain's historic relationship with Religious Refugees". Tide Project. 16 April 2017.
- ^ a b Drake, Gavin (25 November 2016). "Britain's first Syriac Orthodox Cathedral consecrated". Anglican Communion News Service.
- ^ "Oxford Street: The Rebuilding of Oxford Street". Survey of London: volume 40: The Grosvenor Estate in Mayfair, Part 2 (The Buildings). British History Online. 1980. Retrieved 27 April 2014.
- ^ "1875 – St. Saviours Church for the Deaf & Dumb, Oxford Street, London". Archiseek.com. Retrieved 27 April 2014.
- ^ "History part 1". Royal Association for Deaf People. Retrieved 27 April 2014.
- ^ "St Saviour's history". Diocese of London Deaf Church. Retrieved 27 April 2014.
- ^ Details on the service's official webpage at the Diocese of London.
- ^ Details of appointment
- ^ Drake, Gavin (25 November 2016). "Britain's first Syriac Orthodox Cathedral consecrated". ACNS. Retrieved 22 December 2016.
- ^ "St Saviour's Deaf church timeline". historyof.place.
- ^ "History of Place exhibition at the V&A". historyof.place.