The French Protestant Church and the Huguenot Society of Great Britain & Ireland welcome The Huguenot Society of South Carolina
Members of The Huguenot Society of South Carolina with Katrina Matthews and Joyce Hampton of The Huguenot Society of Great Britain & Ireland.
The French Protestant Church in Soho Square, London devoted two separate visits to the Society this week and both have been spectacular. First the Society members visited on May 13 in the afternoon for an educational talk and private session in the archives followed by attending The Huguenot Society of Great Britain & Ireland’s Spring meeting on May 14 in the evening which was held in the church. Both visits provided the membership with memories to last a lifetime. The experiences were graciously arranged by Dr. Tessa Murdoch, Chair, Huguenot Museum.
Welcome Talk
Benedicte Fougier, President of Consistory - French Protestant Church London provided a history of the church and its parishioners.
On May 13, the visit began with an engaging presentation by Benedicte Fougier, President of Consistory - French Protestant Church London. Inside the stunning sanctuary of terra cotta the members could soak in the view of the beautiful organ pipes that flank the Decalogue above the altar with its Geneva Bible. The first service was celebrated on 25 March 1893.
“The inside of the church, designed at the time for a congregation of 400 people, conveys a surprising feel of space and light, the warmth of the buffed-coloured terracotta in stark contrast with the stern façade.
Le temple mi seigneur Jesus
“The temple of My Lord Jesus” appears in French across the church repeating the same phrase used in the first French Protestant church at Threadneedle.
Borrowing from Romanesque architecture, Aston Webb filled the nave with light provided by domes piercing the aisles, large triforium bays and the five stained glass windows of the apse. The four bays of the nave are defined by imposing roman arches, embellished with complex terracotta moldings of antique inspiration.”(French Protestant Church History)
The William Hill’s organ dates from 1893. William Hill & Son was one of the main organ builders in England during the 19th century.
After visiting inside the church, Benedicte welcomed the group into the library. This is not just any library. The collection comprises some 1,400 volumes, a few hundred of them printed before the 17th century. It is an amazing and very diverse collection that includes 15th c. Bibles, books of Psalms, a second edition of the Holy Quran, books on mathematics, language and other sciences. It is a library that represents the era of enlightenment which began in 1685 and is greatly associated with France. It demonstrates the desire for learning and thinking that is associated with the Huguenots.
On May 14 the members returned to the church for the spring meeting of The Huguenot Society of Great Britain & Ireland. Katrina Matthews, President, welcomed the audience to the program which included an address by Ms. Matthews on her Nicholas ancestry and its close ties to Huguenots for several generations. This was followed by a transition ceremony to install the incoming president, Joyce Hampton. The program was followed by a delightful French buffet with the most divine cheeses and salads with, of course, a delicious selection of French wines. Most of all, the reception provided an opportunity for members of both Societies to become fast friends as they discussed history and genealogy. Many invitations were offered to visit Charleston and to return to England. We all remarked how it always is the same joyful story… enter a room of Huguenot descendants and you will instantly have new friends and connections. It is as though we have always known each other. Such warmth and friendliness with an ease of talking and sharing histories.
Elizabeth Gay, Society Director, presented a token of appreciation to Ms. Matthews for all the kind hospitality. It was a white linen pin point tea towel with an embroidered Huguenot cross on it.
The members have had a truly meaningful and unforgettable experience in the church over the two days. Without the efforts of preservation and conservation exercised over many years by the devoted Huguenot descendants supporting the church, museum and Society our membership could have never had such a special experience. All are encouraged to visit the websites in the links provided in this post and to support their work with a donation. The history they are preserving is also our history. We are burned but not consumed! All Huguenot descendants share a devotion to their history and what it represents. Keep this history alive and join us as we continue our journey through the pages of our shared ancestry.
Bible 1486
A Bible written in Latin produced in 1486. This Bible was printed using block printing,
Gutenberg's first major print work was the 42-line Bible in Latin, printed probably between 1452 and 1454.
Psalter 1658
Familiar to all Huguenot descendants is the Psalms of David.
Record of Donations 1681
A valuable record of accounts for the French Protestant church that includes who the donation was for, the amount and other details. Imagine the feeling if you can find your ancestor recorded a record such as this. Conservation and preservation of these works is so important to our history.
Bible in Multiple Languages 1743
This archive had everyone on their feet straining to see it. This Bible is in multiple languages and on one page there is Arabic, Hebrew, Latin and Syriac. Likely the most striking book viewed in the session and so representative of the age of enlightenment.
Sinodes
Researchers will know the value of a transcript of Sinodes from a church. Such wonderful records of minutes of the church business. A refugee brought this record in 1696 from France so it would not be destroyed with so many Huguenot records. It is a record from the church at Niort brought by its Minister Bossarran.
Royal Charter: Edward VI signed the charter on July 24, 1550, allowing French Protestants to establish their own church in London.
Royal Permission
The monarch must grant permission to the church to this day. Here is one from King Charles I.