The estate of Sir Thomas More
Born in 1478, Sir Thomas More built his house on Moravian Close in 1524. The Catholic martyr and author of Utopia’s home consisted of two courtyards that were laid out between his house and the river, and to the north, acres of gardens and orchards were planted, including a stable yard area. After he was beheaded by King Henry VIII, the estate was taken by the Crown and handed over to several prominent families. It was bought by Sir Hans Sloane in 1737.
A Moravian chapel
In the 1740s, the Moravians began renting a room on Fetter Lane for meetings, and soon after acquired the land from Sir Hans Sloane. The chapel was officially registered in 1742 and eventually became the Moravian Church Headquarters in 1875. One of the most significant moments in its history was the link between the church and John and Charles Wesley. The brothers were inspired by the experiences they shared with the Moravians and met with the Fetter Lane society frequently before breaking away to start the Methodist movement in 1738.
The home of Mary Gillick
In 1913, one of the estate’s most famous residents of the 20th century moved in. Mary Gillick and her husband Ernest Gillick lived on Moravian Close. Mary is best known for designing the first portrait of Queen Elizabeth II for currency, an effigy that appeared on Commonwealth coins from 1953 to 1970 (and even today in Maundy money). Postage stamps at the time also used her imagery. Mary made sculpted improvements to the grounds, which you can see today, and she lived here right until her death in 1965.
Christian the Lion’s playground
In 1969, a young lion cub was purchased from Harrods department store by John Rendall and Anthony Bourke. Named Christian the Lion, he was kept as a pet but grew too large to play and exercise in their home. The local vicar granted John and Anthony permission to use Fetter Lane Moravian Burial Ground, and between 1969 and 1970, that became Christian’s playground. Even after the lion was released back into the wild, he was able to recognise his owners, jumping into their arms upon being reunited in a video that went viral decades on.
And today
The grounds of the Moravian Church are open to the public whenever the gates are open. The church itself is open to all whenever there’s a service.
