Four-Part Event Features Historians, Peacemakers, Musicians and International Tributes to Sir Christopher Wren
Fulton, MO – The Center for Faith & Service and America’s National Churchill Museum are collaborating in a four-part celebration of peace that will take place on Feb. 23, Feb. 25, March 14 and April 11, respectively.
The events commemorate the 300th anniversary of the death of the renowned British architect, mathematician, and astronomer Sir Christopher Wren. All events will take place inside the 17th century Christopher Wren-designed Church of St. Mary the Virgin, Aldermanbury, a part of America’s National Churchill Museum at Westminster College.
Architects of Peace will feature experts in history, music and different faith traditions as part of Wren 300, an international commemoration of Wren’s death 300 years ago on Feb. 25, 1723.
The series will examine the quest for peace and how the concept transcends faith traditions, political affiliations, nationalities, races and other groupings that, when approached the wrong way, can lead to division.
Events within the series are as follows:
- Feb. 23 at 7 p.m.: Timothy Riley, the Sandra L. and Monroe E. Trout Director and Chief Curator of America’s National Churchill Museum
- Feb. 25 at 1 p.m.: Frederick Hohman Organ Recital, Music in the Age of Christopher Wren, on the Museum’s famous Mander Organ
- March 14 at 7 p.m.: Aaron White, First Presbyterian Church in Fulton
- April 11 at 7 p.m.: Tim Parshall, president of Congregation Beth Shalom in Columbia, Missouri
St. Mary the Virgin, Aldermanbury, part of America’s National Churchill Museum, is an ancient church dating back at least to the 12th century. St. Mary’s was partially destroyed during the Great Fire of London of 1666 and redesigned by Wren before again being partially destroyed during the Blitz of World War II.
After laying in ruins for more than two decades, and in an unprecedented move, the historic church was shipped stone by stone to the United States and transported to Westminster’s campus as a memorial to Winston Churchill’s “The Sinews of Peace” speech, famously known as the “Iron Curtain” speech and delivered on campus on March 5, 1946.
The Times of London referred to the reconstruction as “perhaps the biggest jigsaw puzzle in the history of architecture.”
Riley says the Museum as it stands today is a fitting location for a series of events designed to bring awareness to peace in our time.
“St. Mary’s stands as a temple of peace and a testament to Winston Churchill’s ‘The Sinews of Peace’ speech,” he explains. “Through honoring multiple perspectives on peace under this venerable roof, we hope to pay homage to Wren’s creative brilliance and invite others to consider ways they might contribute to peace in their communities and around the world.”
ABOUT WESTMINSTER COLLEGE: Founded in 1851 and home of Winston Churchill’s “Iron Curtain” speech, Westminster College in Fulton is ranked prestigiously by U.S. News & World Report as the only National Liberal Arts College in Missouri. Westminster is listed as one of the top institutions in the country for economic mobility and return on investment, placing in the top 16 percent for graduate earnings with a more than 90 percent placement rate. Westminster also is a Forbes Best Value College that focuses on educating and inspiring students to become the world leaders of tomorrow. To find out more about Westminster, please visit the College’s website.
FOR MORE INFORMATION: Please contact Sarah Backer at 573-220-9038 or Sarah.Backer@WCMO.edu.
