The Russian Orthodox Cathedral, London

View of the outside of the russian orthodox cathedral in london showing the front of the building with blue skies behind.

The Grade II listed building, now known as the Russian Orthodox Cathedral, was formerly the Anglican Parish Church of All Saints. The original building was designed by Lewis Vulliamy and built in 1849, and it was then remodelled by Harrison Townsend in 1892. The significant interior decoration, including sgraffito, mosaic and stained glass windows, was added between 1896 and 1903 by Heywood Sumner, a leading figure in the international Arts & Crafts Movement.

Conservation work was undertaken on the sgraffito murals and apse mosaic as a member of Hare & Humphrey's team. Treatment included the extensive cleaning of the smoke-blackened surface and consolidation of loose and friable material. Further conservation was also carried out on the stained glass windows and painted faux marble decoration.

Photograph showing colourful scraffito murals to the walls on the russian orthodox cathedral in London

Photograph showing colourful scraffito murals to the walls on the russian orthodox cathedral in London during the conservation cleaning work.

Area of cleaned sgraffito against smoke darkened surface of surrounding untreated decoration

Photograph showing colourful scraffito murals to the walls on the russian orthodox cathedral in London. Also shows the large gilded dome.

Sgraffito after treatment.

Photograph showing colourful scraffito murals to the walls on the russian orthodox cathedral in London during conservation cleaning

Sgraffito during second phase of cleaning, to remove ingrained dirt and residues from the porous plaster surface.

Close up of stained glass window showing vibrant coloured angels.

Wheel window after cleaning, revealing vibrant colours previously obscured by accumulated dirt.

Micromosaic depicting Jesus on the cross with gold leaf tile background and mother of pearl hald and border. Half has been cleaned and half is still dirty.

Mosaic above apse depicting Christ. Composed of coloured and gilt glass tiles, surrounded by two bands of mother of pear. The tiles and shells were carefully cleaned and loose and detached pieces re-affixed.

Faux marble special paint effect on a colum in black, grey and white tones. The lower half has been cleaned and the upper half remains dirty.

Painted faux marble effect during cleaning, showing the contrast between original colours of the cleaned section (below) and discoloured uncleaned surface (above).