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History
The Crypt of St Pancras Parish Church was designed and used for coffin burials from 1822, when the Church was opened, to 1854, when the crypts of all London churches were closed to burials. Crypt burial was seen as a slightly better alternative to the overcrowded village burial grounds for those who could afford it...and a useful revenue for the churches.
The first burial was that of Ellen Strachey, aged 12, on 6th June 1822. The last burial was that of Harry Pearce, aged 71, on 27th October 1854. Burials here were discontinued by Order in Council dated 21st May 1855.
In both World Wars the Crypt was used as an air raid shelter.
This peaceful place is still the final home of 557 people. We respect their presence.
Art and Religion
Since time immemorial art has stimulated the emotions, the senses, the need for integration of the individual with the whole. The power of our imagination steps in when factual reality eludes understanding or explanation.
An ability to produce images of our perceptions underpins our humanity and indeed was a starting point for the development of human knowledge, including religion. From the ability to externalise perceived ideas came the possibility of examining the world of ideas, the development of imagination and the growth of an almost insatiable need to explore anything unknown or mysterious.
There is evidence to suggest that visual art as painting, drawing and sculpture has been a form of human expression for seventy thousand years. For most of that history, art has either been inspired by belief in a deity or created for religious purposes, giving human life purpose and beauty beyond sheer survival and thus touching all human beings.
The Crypt Today
In 2002 the Crypt at St Pancras Church became a gallery space where the imagination, thoughts and emotions of 21st century artists are shared with visitors from around the world. Now this popular venue hosts a year-round programme of art exhibitions. As a church we are pleased to include art that provokes and questions, as well as art designed for contemplation, because all form an important part of our common humanity. Throughout history the Church has encouraged and supported the arts and artists. Long may this continue.
The Crypt provides an intensely atmospheric backdrop to promote the work of a wide variety of artists, kept under the watchful eye of the caryatids. Details of current, forthcoming and previous exhibitions are listed on this website.
If you are interested in putting on an exhibition in The Crypt, please contact Claire Pinney, Director of the Crypt Gallery at St Pancras Church.
To read an interview with Claire Pinney about the Crypt Gallery ">click here
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