This year’s Faith and Peace Walk marked the third consecutive event organized by the Barnet Multi-Faith Forum and Middlesex University Inter Faith Network on June 20th, 2024. The walk coincided with both the London Festival of Architecture 2024 and National Clean Air Day.
It was a remarkable event celebrating religious diversity, community harmony, and
environmental awareness, providing an informative experience that fostered new friendships while highlighting air quality and sustainability initiatives across Edgware.
The walk commenced from Edgware Underground Station, making its way to St. Margaret’s Church as a midpoint, and concluded at OneStonegrove. In line with National Clean Air Day, some walkers carried portable air monitors provided by Middlesex University and Climate Action Barnet. This initiative aimed to record air quality and pollution levels along the route, contributing valuable data to ongoing research efforts.
The Faith and Peace Walk in Edgware was more than just a physical journey; it was a journey of the heart and spirit, bringing together individuals from different faiths and backgrounds in a shared pursuit of peace and understanding, showcasing a commitment to environmental sustainability. It stands as a testament to the power of community collaboration and interfaith dialogue in creating a more harmonious and environmentally conscious society.
A Journey Through Edgware’s Spiritual and Cultural Heritage
The walk began at Edgware Methodist Church, a cornerstone of the community celebrating its centenary this year. The church, which has stood in its current form since 1956, serves a diverse congregation, including a significant number of West African members. Its role extends beyond traditional worship, hosting a large Romanian Pentecostal community and a Trefoil Guild group for former Girl Guide members. This rich blend of cultural and spiritual traditions reflects the church’s inclusive philosophy, making it a microcosm of the diversity that characterizes Edgware itself.
Participants then moved to the Islamic Centre Edgware, a vibrant and essential institution for the local Muslim community. Established in 1974, the centre has grown steadily over the years, culminating in the construction of a new, purpose-built mosque in 2016. This modern facility, located on Deansbrook Road, serves as both a place of worship and a model of environmental consciousness, designed with numerous eco-friendly features. The centre’s emphasis on environmental sustainability is deeply rooted in Islamic teachings, which encourage the faithful to care for the Earth as stewards of creation.
Next on the route was St Margaret’s Church and Community Churchyard, the oldest building in Edgware, with a history dating back to the 13th century. This historic church has been a continuous place of Christian worship and community service for over 700 years. The current structure, largely rebuilt in the 1760s, houses bells that were cast during that period and remain in regular use, following a significant restoration effort from 2012 to 2014. The churchyard, transformed in 2019 into a peaceful sanctuary amidst the hustle and bustle of Edgware’s main street, offers a quiet place for reflection and connection with the divine. Additionally, the historic almshouses associated with the church, dating back to 1680, provide a fascinating glimpse into the community’s long-standing commitment to social welfare.
The walk then led participants to the Edgware and Hendon Reform Synagogue, a cornerstone of the local Jewish community. This synagogue, formed from the merger of two historic Jewish congregations—Edgware & District Reform Synagogue and Hendon Reform Synagogue—stands as a testament to the resilience and adaptability of Jewish life in North London. The merger, completed in 2016, brought together these communities into a single, vibrant congregation of over 3,000 members. The synagogue is known for its two walls of stunning stained-glass windows, which were donated by congregants in memory of loved ones and have become symbolic of the community’s deep ties to its history and traditions. Today, the synagogue continues to serve as a vital center for worship, learning, and community life, offering a wide range of activities that cater to the spiritual and social needs of its members.
The final stop on the Faith and Peace Walk was the OneStonegrove Community Centre & St Peter’s Church, an award-winning facility that exemplifies the power of community-led development. Completed in 2016, OneStonegrove replaced two aging 1960s buildings with a state-of-the-art facility that combines innovative architectural design with a strong social mission. The project, inspired by the roof structure of the old St Peter’s Church, was designed to reflect the history and character of the Stonegrove estate while providing a modern space for worship and community activities. The center is managed by the Stonegrove Community Trust, a resident-led organization that has infused the space with a dynamic and inclusive spirit. OneStonegrove hosts a wide range of activities, including programs for families, young people, and the elderly, as well as environmental initiatives such as community gardening. A standout feature of the center is its £100,000 solar panel array, the largest charity-owned solar project in London. This installation underscores OneStonegrove’s commitment to sustainability, with the goal of becoming completely carbon neutral in the coming years.
The Faith and Peace Walk in Edgware serves as a powerful reminder of the strength and beauty found in diversity and the potential for interfaith collaboration to foster a more peaceful and harmonious society. As participants departed from OneStonegrove, they carried with them not only the memories of the day but also a renewed commitment to building bridges of understanding and working together for the common good.
