Victorian frescoes discovered at Hoxton church

Victorian artworks: part of the frescoes discovered St Monica's Church Hoxton

A restoration project at St Monica’s Church on Hoxton Square has led to the discovery of Victorian frescoes by E.W. Pugin, whose architect father, Augustus Pugin, pioneered the Gothic Revival style.

The discovery was made as part of a routine restoration of the church. Father Paul Graham, Parish Priest of the Roman Catholic church, said: “Through the restoration of St Monica’s, we hope to bring back the original beauty of one of Hackney’s listed buildings.”

Father Graham explained that this sort of restoration work was being carried out in a number of churches across England. The Victorian era saw an explosion of churches being built, and restoration projects like the one at St Monica’s should help to bring a number of them back to their original splendour.

The church itself has a rich history, which should be made apparent by its restoration. It was one of the first permanent foundations of Augustinian friars in England since the Reformation, and its wooden altar, near where the frescoes were uncovered, was installed in 1875 and consecrated by Cardinal Manning.

One of the notable figures in the church’s history is Father Michael Kelly, who became a priest at the Church when it was first built in 1864, and gained a reputation for his work with the poor at a time when there was extreme poverty in Hoxton and Shoreditch. He was often referred to as the ‘Saint of Hoxton’ and was so well known by the end of his life that his obituary appeared in the New York Times.

More can be learnt about Father Kelly in a 30-page book by Jean Olwen called ‘The Saint of Hoxton’: Father Michael Kelly OSA and the Beginnings of Monica’s Parish which can be purchased from the parish secretary.

Proceeds from the book will fund further restoration work, which the church hopes will be completed in time for its 150th anniversary in 2015.

St Monica’s continues to provide support to the community, with its involvement in the Hackney Foodbank, Hackney Winter Night Shelter and Shoreditch Citizens.