John Loughborough Pearson, architect of 2 Temple Place, was a highly successful nineteenth-century architect, whose soaring Gothic revival churches boldly embodied the spirit of the nineteenth-century revival of the Church of England. In 1897 the Architectural Review noted that Pearson’s first London church, Holy Trinity, Bessborough Gardens, ‘attracted the admiration of such men as Sir Charles Barry, Augustus Welby Northmore Pugin and Sir George Gilbert Scott, the latter, indeed, pronouncing it to be the finest building of its kind that London could then boast of.’

Pearson went on to design many churches, two cathedrals and to become Surveyor to Westminster Abbey. His biographer, Anthony Quiney, described him as ‘this truly great Victorian architect.’ And yet Pearson has been neglected in modern times, not always recognised for the significant contribution that he made to Britain’s architectural history.

In this talk, Patrick Newberry will explore Pearson’s life and works and endeavour to restore his reputation as one of Britain’s most inspiring and capable Gothic Revival architects.

More about John Loughborough Pearson at Two Temple Place

Dr Patrick NewberryCanon Dr Patrick Newberry is a Commissioner of Historic England, Vice Chairman of The Georgian Group, Chairman of The Cornish Buildings Group and a Non-Residentiary Canon of Truro Cathedral. As an architectural historian, since completing his doctoral thesis on the Life and Works of James Piers St Aubyn, a notable but neglected Victorian architect, he has researched, written and lectured about the contribution of Victorian architects to our built heritage. As a former member of the Fabric Advisory Committee of Truro Cathedral, one of J. L. Pearson’s most significant buildings, he became fascinated by Pearson’s work and his contribution to the architecture of the Victorian era.

Doors open from 6.30pm. Talk starts 7pm. The talk will last around 90 minutes including time for questions.

Limited spaces available, booking essential. Tickets are available on a ‘pay what you can’ basis. Please choose the tier of ticket that is best suited to you. If the ticket price presents difficulty, please get in touch with us at info@twotempleplace.org.

Please join the waitlist if the event is sold out. Purchase tickets through the checkout portal below. If you experience difficulty with the portal, you can purchase tickets on the Eventbrite page here, or book directly by emailing info@twotempleplace.org or phoning 0207 836 3715.

This talk is programmed as part of our Celebration of Makers. To see other events at Two Temple Place, please visit the ‘What’s On’ page.

For information on how to plan your visit, please check the ‘Visit Us‘ page.

*Please note that we are a small organisation. If you want to cancel your ticket within 1 week of the event, we can’t offer a refund but will try to transfer your ticket to a similar event in the future. If cancelling 48 hours before the event, we are unable to offer a refund or transfer your ticket. If you request a refund at any time, you will be charged a fee by Eventbrite.