Commonwealth Heritage Forum Launches Fresco Restoration at London's St Jude's Church

The Commonwealth Heritage Forum (CHF), in partnership with the Courtauld Institute of Art, has initiated a major restoration project for the early 20th-century frescoes at St Jude's on the Hill in London. The Grade I listed church, designed by Edwin Lutyens, contains murals by Walter Starmer that are considered among Britain's most significant 20th-century ecclesiastical artworks. The CHF, founded in 2017 by Philip Davies, focuses on heritage skills training across Commonwealth nations. This marks its sole UK project, funded with £300,000 for the initial phase. Two advanced trainees from Pakistan will work under supervisor Polly Westlake of Cliveden Conservation, beginning in March 2026. The frescoes have suffered from atmospheric pollution, damp, and past amateur interventions, with variable condition across the nave and aisles. The Courtauld Institute is concurrently analyzing Starmer's techniques in the Lady Chapel to inform restoration methods. The project is expected to span approximately three years, aiming to preserve artworks at risk of deterioration. Starmer, a war artist and muralist, created the frescoes over a decade, depicting biblical scenes and celebrating women's roles in society, reflecting the social reform ethos of Hampstead Garden Suburb. The broader CHF program, titled the Queen Elizabeth's Second Platinum Jubilee Commonwealth Heritage Skills Training Programme, has supported 70 projects in 30 countries.