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The parish church of central Finchley
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Posted December 3rd, 2024

Running Rector completes gruelling 50K Ultra Marathon!

Philip 50K medal

St Mary-at-Finchley, 02/12/24 – The Revd Philip Davison, Rector of St Mary-at-Finchley, successfully completed an arduous 50-kilometre Ultra Marathon to raise funds for the church’s “Give me Shelter!” Church and Churchyard Project. The event took place on December 1, 2024, as part of the New Forest Xmas Trails, a scenic running challenge set within the picturesque New Forest National Park.

This marks a significant milestone for the Rector, who undertook the demanding challenge of running his longest distance ever in support of the church’s important community-focused initiative. The “Give me Shelter!” project aims to improve and preserve the church and its grounds, ensuring they remain a welcoming space for future generations.

The Revd Philip Davison said “That was the wettest run I have done. I have never run through so much water and mud. Crossing the finish line was an overwhelming experience. I would like to thank everyone who has supported me and contributed to our church and community project.”

Supporters are encouraged to continue contributing to the fundraising efforts, ensuring the ongoing success of the “Give me Shelter!” initiative. Contributions can still be made through the official GoFundMe page.

For more information about the St Mary-at-Finchley “Give me Shelter!” project or to donate, please visit https://www.gofundme.com/f/our-running-rector-takes-on-a-50km-challenge

Notes about the ‘Give me Shelter!” project:

St Mary’s will be working in partnership with the London Borough of Barnet and neighbour Barnet Mencap to revitalise Grade II* St Mary’s, the heart of Finchley Church End Conservation Area, to maximise use of the site and improve physical, cultural and digital access for the community.

The project involves:

  • Repair of the leaking roof of the Grade II* listed church and conservation work on seven Grade II listed monuments.
  • A community garden as a place of peace and refuge. Use of the garden by Barnet Mencap for horticultural learning and social groups. It will help to develop easy-to-read printed and audio heritage guides.
  • A historic footpath will connect seven local schools and link St Mary’s to the Capital Ring and Dollis Valley paths to form a 5-mile circular route.
  • Digitisation of the churchyard and burial information will create an interactive map and photographs to give world-wide access to history enthusiasts – the first church in the Diocese of London to take part in the Church of England’s National Burial Survey!
  • Republishing heritage literature and images from the 13th century onwards will allow St Mary’s to share its fascinating history so it is accessible locally, nationally and internationally. The churchyard’s monuments include an obelisk monument to Major John Cartwright (“Father of Reform”) and a Georgian sundial which features in a 1793 watercolour of St Mary’s by JMW Turner.

A quote from Philip Mould, famous art curator and presenter of “Fake or Fortune?”:
“The Church and Churchyard Project at St. Mary at Finchley embodies a poignant reclamation of our shared heritage. The planned restoration of the Georgian Sundial, as depicted in the 1793 watercolour by JMW Turner, offers a remarkable opportunity to preserve a remarkably evocative and documented cultural artifact. Such projects are invaluable in keeping our past alive for future generations.”