The historic church of St Mary’s in Hampstead in North West London celebrates its bicentenary this year. The church was founded by Abbé Jean Morel, a French émigré, who came to Hampstead in 1796 following the French Revolution. A series of lectures, concerts, a parish mission and various social events are taking place to commemorate this significant anniversary.
A celebratory dinner was held at Highgate Golf Club on 5 February attended by 140 parishioners. Mark Carney, the Governor of the Bank of England and a parishioner of St Mary’s, was the guest of honour. In his speech, he placed the building of the church within the economic setting of the first part of the 19th century. He went on to speak about the positive role of spiritual and moral values that underline and support good behaviour in the monetary world.
