I haven't been to Kingston upon Thames for a good while, but it is going to feature in my today's musings because of its reputed connections with the greatest Polish pianist of all times: Frederic Chopin. It was several years ago, before my lower limb joints became non-cooperative and this blog was born, when I took a walk along the Thames in Kingston and discovered for myself an early Victorian- Italianate church almost right by the river bank. I stopped by, looked at it closely and read what there was to read as you would expect of me, Dear Reader. The information that stuck in my memory was that my world famous compatriot, Frederic Chopin, may have played the very organs at this church during his visit to Britain in 1848. And you, Dear Reader, can read about it as well, as I am going to provide you with a link - just click here and enjoy!
However, knowing how busy you are, Oh Dear Reader, I won't force you to click above, but will let you read on having pasted in the relevant excerpt:
'St Raphael's was evidently rather a special church, since the organ was
made by Bishop & Starr, organ-builder to Queen Victoria: Chopin is
reputed to have played on it ("Structure and Architecture"). This may be
because of its connection with the exiled French royal family, living
at nearby Claremont, several members of which were married here in the presence of the future Edward VII and his wife Alexandra. (..) The building was funded by politician and philanthropist Alexander
Raphael (c.1775-1850), a Catholic Armenian whose family came from India.
After Catholic Emancipation,
he had been the first Catholic Sheriff of London; he also served as the
first British-Armenian MP. According to the church's own website, he
had built the church as a family chapel, leaving instructions for it to
be opened for public worship after his death. In this way it became the
first post-Reformation Catholic Church in this busy market town. The
architect Raphael chose was also something of a pioneer: Charles Parker,
who had a successful London practice and professional career, was one
of the original fellows of the Institute of British Architects
(afterwards the RIBA) and was later appointed steward and surveyor to
the Duke of Bedford's important London estates.'
If you are on The Magic Bus 65 Route, you can enjoy a pleasant trip to Kingston at the cost of a bus ticket! :-)
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