Visiting Golders Green Unitarians, 15 June 2025

I occasionally leave our northern Unitarian home to visit other congregations, and on 15 June 2025 I accepted Golders Green Unitarians’ offer to visit them and lead worship on their monthly theme of ‘Art and Creativity’. I chose ‘Art and Spirituality’ as my topic; I may well repeat it for Newcastle some time!

It was an absolute pleasure to visit their beautiful home and friendly community. Like many congregations, including our own Church of the Divine Unity, Golders Green has an interesting and in some places unexpected history; it split off from Rosslyn Hill Unitarian Chapel (Hampstead) in 1903. Unusually for the time, it was founded by two women, who funded the new congregation and eventually the building of the new church, which dates from 1925 and is Grade II listed. Historic England singles out for mention a “notable tempera mural by Ivon Hitchens”, among other works.

Perhaps unsurprisingly, given the timing of its creation, signs of peace are everywhere, in the peaceful woodland ‘tempera mural’ scenes, to the dove of peace over the stained-glass window at the entrance. You can see this in the photos below.

Certainly it would be hard to find a more inspiring setting for a service on art and spirituality. I was very happy to speak to ten attendees in person, including the minister, Rev. Michael Allured, and someone attending for the first time – and one large bumblebee, which travelled in with the altar flowers. We decided to leave it in peace to find its own way out. I had not expected to preach to a bee, but life takes us down some interesting routes! It would be lovely to return some time, perhaps one day. Thanks to all for making me welcome.

Louise Reeve