Description
In 1993 a terrorist bomb exploded in Bishopsgate just 15 yards from St Ethelburga’s church. One man was killed and 51 others injured in the blast that caused widespread damage to surrounding buildings.
The devastation to St Ethelburga’s church seemed so total that it was feared this might be the final chapter in the history of a church which had survived the Great Fire and Blitz and served the City of London since mediaeval times. Closer inspection of the bombsite showed there was much that could be saved or reconstructed, and in 1997 the Bishop of London, the Rt. Revd Richard Chartres, proposed a new role for St Ethelburga’s as an innovative Centre for Reconciliation and Peace.
A group of Trustees with the Bishop of London established a new Trust which now owns and runs the Centre for Reconciliation and Peace which occupies the restored building.
An independent charitable trust was established under the chairmanship of Rt. Rev. Richard Chartres, the Bishop of London. Trustees and its objectives are:
To restore and rebuild the church of St Ethelburga restoring its familiar Bishopsgate façade and ensuring the church and courtyard garden remain a haven of quiet and peace for those that work in the area. The building contains memorials for those who have been killed or injured in terrorist attacks in London.
To house an international centre dedicated to conflict transformation that will continue to serve its immediate community through research, a lecture seminar programme and consultancy services for those based in the City.
