Celebrating Open Day 2024

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Celebrating Open Day 2024

30 September 2024

Thanks to all who attended our Open Day on Saturday 14 September 2024 as part of Open House London and Heritage Open Days.

Around 250 visitors shared the space in celebration of our heritage, architecture, and unique organ. Read on to find out what we got up to, how much was raised to help save our Sunday School Hall, and what people loved about the day.

"We were here for over 3 hours, which is so unusual for us - there was so much to do and see, thank you!"

From informative and enthusiastic guided tours led by Friends of Union Chapel,

 

to workshops teaching music and technology showing kids (and their adults) how a Wooden One-Octave Organ works generously supported by the Institue of Physics,

 

plus a lunchtime organ recital from students of our free and innovative organ education programme led by their tutor and concert organist Jeremiah Stephenson,

 

and 42 roof tiles donated by Keymer that are now lovingly adorned with attendees' stunning drawings and messages of positivity and support that will be a part of our Sunday School Hall roof for years to come.

 

Thank you to our volunteers - from Open House, Union Chapel Memberships and Church, and Friends of Union Chapel. Their enthusiasm, invaluable and tireless support, and championing of Union Chapel, made the day so successful.

Exterior of red bricked Victorian Gothic Union Chapel tower and entrance with blue sky background and blooming trees in foreground. Union Chapel stage with wooden chairs and stone pulpit lit by multicoloured stage lighting with church windows in background. Audience sat in wooden pews facing Union Chapel stage with Jeremiah speaking in front of the stone pulpit. Shadowy view from behind the organ metal pipes.

What did visitors love the most?

"We loved the organ workshop... engaged and entertained... so much fun and so informative in a lovely, inclusive, interactive way!"

"Thank you to Jeremiah the organist for spending so much time explaining and showing us the organ and his playing. The kids and I were captivated for ages"

"We really enjoyed decorating the tiles! We could all get involved - great fun, thanks!"

"Joining the tour with George as it was very uplifting to see someone so passionate about the cause"

"Richard’s tour was so well delivered, his enthusiasm was contagious"

"The organ recital was very impressive, particularly the students performing to a relatively large audience."

"Stain glass windows, beautiful building"

"Friendliness of the volunteers"

 

Organ Recital Hit!

In 2012 the Chapel appointed award winning composer Claire M Singer as Music Director of the Organ. Claire has since built the Chapel’s highly praised organ programme of education and performance providing a smooth and supported path from childhood to professional organ performance and composition of all genres, offering free and subsidised lessons to those who may not have previously had the chance to bring the beauty of pipe organ alive.

This Open Day saw young students of this programme, led by tutor and concert organist Jeremiah Stephenson, wowing us with live performances.

Image 1: Foreground of mixing desk leading to audience sat in wooden pews facing Union Chapel stage with stone pulpit lit by multicoloured stage lighting with church windows and arches in background. Image 2: Young student stood side stage looking contemplative waiting to perform as Jeremiah sits playing at the wooden organ behind the stone pulpit. Image 3: Three young students stood next to stone pulpit and organ on stage smiling getting ready to bow after performance with Jeremiah addressing the off-shot audience with Union Chapel's famous wheel window in background.

"We're so grateful that Zed has had the opportunity to study with Jeremiah at the Union Chapel, he has enjoyed learning to play the organ from his very first lesson. It's a wonderful learning experience and such a joy to see his sincere enthusiasm" Zed's adults

'I really like my lessons with Jeremiah, and the organ is an amazing instrument. I never imagined I'd be learning to play it! I really like improvising sounds and pieces to play, they're the best music lessons I've ever had!" Zed

"It is an enormous privilege to play/practise on this magnificent and prestigious organ in a building that is so important to the community of Islington and London." Bea

"Union Chapel has, for the last hundred plus years, been both a community centre and home to one of London’s finest pipe organs. As such, it is a real pleasure and privilege to inspire today’s young music lovers with an appreciation of this rich artistic heritage and a skill they can enjoy for the rest of their lives.

It was wonderful to see such a large crowd for the organ recital at midday, and such warmth and support for our young players. They all stepped up to the challenge like professionals, which is testament not only to their attentiveness in lessons but also their commitment to practice between lessons, the support and encouragement of parents and of course the work of Union Chapel and all who contribute to the funding of this unique opportunity for local children." Jeremiah, tutor

If you want to support the organ programme, and urgent repairs needed to bring this historic instrument back to its full potential, please click here.

 

Can you see your roof tile?

Three lines of red roof tiles laying on stone ground, emblazoned with writing and drawings of hope, inspiration, and love from donors.

Thank you to all who took part in Tag A Tile to raise £276 of crucial funds to help support the essential repairs to our Sunday School Hall as we prepare to re-open the space as a heritage-led community hub bustling with Sunday School Stories activities to break down the barriers to heritage and culture, and amplify the voices of underrepresented groups.

Donor messages on our tiles ranged from exquisite Union Chapel architecture sketches, messages of love to family members, inspirational quotes, drawings from kids of all ranges, and even outline of the youngest Open Day attendees's feet (pictured below)!

Image 1: Red roof tiles complete with writing and drawings made by sharpie, laying on a black table with purple sign stating 'Tag A Tile for Sunday School Stories' with Keymer Tiles logo. Image 2: Smiling family of 3 adults and one very young baby stood in Union Chapel holding a red roof tile complete with baby feet outlines drawn on it. Image 3: Smiling man holding red roof tile stating 'Think highly of yourself... think deeply of the world...' . Image 4: Four donors sat at the Tag A Tile black tables smiling to camera whilst making their sharpie marks on the red roof tiles.

Islington Archaeology & History Society

We are extremely grateful for their donation of £1000 towards our 200+ year archive work of records, books, artefacts, artwork, memorabilia, and more. The collection is an untapped treasure trove of stories currently being logged and digistised to bring back to the public. It tells the tales of Nonconformist Christians and their 100-year journey from persecuted minority to being part of the establishment, as well as insights into the lives of real local people and their ambitions for a better world, and of Union Chapel’s unique history as one of the UK’s most respected music venues. We are extremely grateful to have the Islington Archaeology & History Society as supporters and partners as we continue on our Sunday School Stories adventure.

 

Delve deeper

ORGAN | Discover our organ programme of free lessons for children and those facing social justice issues here, plus join our fight to save our 147 year old, unique organ with urgent repairs that must take place this January 2025.

SUNDAY SCHOOL STORIES |  Follow transformation from dilapidation of our 1877 Grade II* listed Sunday School Hall that continues its legacy of social justice and supporting young people into a new and accessible hub to deliver an engaging programme and archive collection with, for, and by the community.

SUBSCRIBE |  Stay updated about upcoming events and the charitable work these events support. Choose news from gigs, heritage and more when subscribing here. 

 

 

Thank you to Jennifer Sharpley, Dirk Werkers, and organ student parents for their photos.

 

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