Come Visit Us This Weekend: 50th Anniversary Highlights 

The upcoming weekend is packed with special events commemorating the 50th anniversary of the dedication of the Church of St. Mary the Virgin, Aldermanbury, on the Westminster College campus. While a few high-profile events require tickets or are by invitation only, many are open to the public. 

One of the most anticipated events of the anniversary weekend is the 50th Anniversary Parade, which will begin at 2:30 p.m. Saturday, May 4, on the corner of W. 7th Street and Westminster Avenue, across from the National Churchill Museum. The parade retraces the route Sir Winston Churchill’s caravan drove after he arrived in Fulton to deliver his famous Sinews of Peace speech in 1946.  

“This 50th anniversary weekend is designed to celebrate this extraordinary museum and commemorate the legacy of Winston Churchill,” explains Timothy Riley, Sandra L. and Monroe E. Trout Director and Chief Curator of the museum.  

If you plan to attend the parade and re-trace Churchill’s route, watch for family members of Sir Winston Churchill and President Harry Truman. The event is designed to be unique: In addition to usual parade fanfare such as high school bands, the anniversary parade includes U.S. military bands and the St. Andrews Society Pipes and Drum Corps. Keep an eye out for the Air Attache British Embassy, the Commanding Officer of the 4th Fighter Group of the U.S. Air Force, and a variety of historic military vehicles. Finally, a salute to the Eagle Squadrons of World War II will take place, specially highlighting the service of Fulton resident Lt. John Lutz, who lost his life in the war and whose long-standing commemorative exhibit at the National Churchill Museum is worth visiting this weekend. 

Lutz’s exhibit and all other displays can be viewed for free this weekend. The museum and church are open to the public free of charge from Friday, May 3, through Sunday, May 5.  

See below for a simple schedule of events open to the public during the 50th anniversary celebration weekend. For a complete schedule of events with detailed descriptions, scroll to the bottom of the page.  

Commemorative Walking Tours 
1 p.m. Friday, May 3: Corner of W. 7th Street and Westminster Avenue 
10 a.m., 2:30 p.m., and 4 p.m. Saturday, May 4, Front Entrance of the National Churchill Museum 

Opening Lecture and Noel Mander Organ Concert 
3 p.m. and 4:30 p.m., Friday, May 3: Church of St. Mary the Virgin, Aldermanbury 

Meet the Authors and Book Signing 
9 a.m. Saturday, May 4: National Churchill Museum 
Meet Authors Andrew Roberts, Lord Alan Watson, Jim Wilson, Tina Santi Flaherty, and Edwina Sandys 

Sculptural Life Casting of Special Guests
10 a.m. Saturday, May 4: National Churchill Museum
Churchill Fellow and Sculptor Don Wiegund Has a Sculptural Surprise for Guests   

Meet Edwina Sandys, Breakthrough Artist and Granddaughter of Sir Winston Churchill 
11 a.m. Saturday, May 4: In front of Breakthrough Sculpture at the National Churchill Museum 

View or Fly in a B-25 Bomber
10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, May 4, and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, May 5: Fulton Municipal Airport, 4420 County Road 304

50th Anniversary Parade 
2:30 p.m. Saturday, May 4: Corner of W. 7th Street and Westminster Avenue, or enjoy a view from anywhere along the parade route – south on Westminster Avenue, east on W. 5th Street, north on Court Street, and west on W. 7th Street