A Very Flexible Space

The evolution of use for an Iconic Building ...

 Over 50 years on, St. Paul's, Bow Common draws interest and astonishment to those who visit it for the first time - some as a complete discoverey and some knowing it well from images and descriptions, but still amazed at what they find.

In this section there is an account of what could be thought of as the 'next stage' in the exploration of what this building is about. Since 1998 under the Incumbent of the time there has been a discovery (with as much surprise for him as for anyone!) of the extraordinary flexibility and even 'generosity' of this building. At first sight it might seem to have been very strictly and particularly defined for liturgy - for the worshipping life of the Christian community of this church. However, what we have found is that hidden within the founding principles was a much wider 'brief,' not consciously envisaged by Maguire and Murray but now recognised, acknowledged and affirmed by Robert Maguire and, as a partner in the first act of exploration in 1998, by Keith Murray (R.I.P.  2005).

The genius of Maguire and Murray, who astonishingly in their mid-20's embodied the vision and genius of the first and great Vicar of the new church, Fr. Gresham Kirkby (1916-2006 : Vicar 1951-1995) remains as an abiding tribute and memorial to them all. There is so much of the architecture of the 1960's which, with flower power and flared trousers, did not stand the test of time. However, with such deep classical, historical and theological roots, St. Paul's. Bow Common truly does remain 'alive' and engaged with the life of the Body of Christ in this place, for whose service it was designed.  The essential purpose and nature of Christian communities remain the same, though flexible, imaginative and creative as times and seasons change. In much the same way, the founding principles ofthis building, as they were envisaged by Maguire, Murray and Kirkby, remain at the service of this Christian community in times and circumstances and settings which those three great minds could never have imagined. Generations to come will remain forever grateful to them.

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