Set across the lawns of Downing College, bordering Hills and Lensfield Roads, the ‘Church of Our Lady of the Assumption & the English Martyrs’ although coming late to the city, is now one of its most treasured landmarks. With its huge lantern tower and a spire the height of Ely Cathedral, it is one of the country’s largest Catholic churches and parishes, with a weekly attendance of over two and half thousand people from over forty nationalities.
Providentially, the vast amount of money needed to construct such a huge church, came from an unlikely source – a former ballerina born into abject poverty in the slums of Paris in 1812.
The lecture will explore the circumstances that led to Yolande Lyne-Stephens paying for the entire cost of the church and Rectory, together with all the fixtures, fittings, silverware and vestments, thus creating one of the finest churches of the Catholic revival.
Nigel Kerry has been Organist and Director of Music at OLEM since 1998. He read Theology at Oxford University followed by organ studies at the Royal College of Music with Nicholas Danby. He has performed recitals in such prestigious venues as Westminster Abbey, Westminster Cathedral, St Paul’s Cathedral, the Royal Albert Hall, Symphony Hall, Birmingham, King’s College Cambridge, while being the first organist from the UK to perform at the National Organ and Chamber Music Hall in Kyiv, Ukraine. Like his teacher before him, he is recognised as an inspired and articulate teacher of his instrument. As well as teaching organ at Cambridge University he is a former tutor to the choristers of King’s and St John’s Colleges.
He is currently researching and writing the official biography of the famous 20th century monk/musician Dom Gregory Murray of Downside.
This talk takes place at Ross Street Community Centre, a fully accessible venue, and is open to all. Doors open at 7pm, The AGM starts at 7:30pm and the talk starts at 7:45pm.
Date 13 May 2025
Time 7:30pm – 9pm
Location Ross St Community Centre, Ross Street, Cambridge CB1 3UZ
Admission £3