Comments on: Lewis Lupton In Spitalfields

By: Ben Elford

Ben Elford — Tue, 30 May 2017 18:33:04 +0000

It was a pleasure to come across this posting. I collected the History of the Geneva Bible, buying one or two volumes from secondhand bookshops and the rest from Lewis Lupton as they were published. I had the privilege of meeting him in the early 1990s in Chiswick; I bought a painting from him (he was somewhat reluctant to sell it, I remember). I recall the gorgeous ceiling, of course, but wish I could remember more of the detail. Is there a photographic record anywhere? And am I right in thinking that it was once the subject of a BBC documentary?

By: Julia Button

Julia Button — Wed, 02 Nov 2016 14:06:38 +0000

I’ve just seen the comments from Alison Pitt – yes I remember him mentioning going to Finchley and his friend Harold Smith. So lovely to hear your memories.
My brother still lives at the house in Chiswick – the painted ceiling is still there, although getting a bit faded with the passage of time.

By: Alison Pitt (nee Smith)

Alison Pitt (nee Smith) — Sat, 06 Aug 2016 08:04:29 +0000

I was very interested to see the comments from Julia Button.
Lewis Lupton was a dear friend of my Dad’s – Harold Smith, as Lewis came regularly to preach at the Soho Memorial Chapel at North Finchley. I have very happy memories of going to Chiswick with my parents, and remember vividly the beautiful ceiling Lewis had painted in his house – especially the inclusion of his beloved cat. We have a copy of every volume of the History of the Geneva Bible, as Lewis gave my Dad a copy whenever a new one was published – a wonderful testament to his faith and his skill.

By: Julia Button

Julia Button — Sun, 15 Nov 2015 17:26:54 +0000

I was delighted to find these sketches of my Dad’s online. Lewis Lupton (1909 – 1996) had a long and varied career. He trained at Sheffield Art School for 7 years, then worked for Askew Younge studios in London until the 2nd world war. During the war years he exhibited several oil paintings in the RA, and continued with commercial art including work on posters for the Minstry of Fuel and Power and Dig for Victory campaign.
Later he illustrated several books for Scripture Union including Patricia St John’s children’s novels. The last 25 years of his life were devoted to writing and publishing his History of the Geneva Bible in 25 volumes.

By: Moyra Peralta

Moyra Peralta — Sat, 23 Nov 2013 01:20:31 +0000

Lupton, primarily known only for his work on the history of the Geneva Bible, seems to have been written out of most art histories. One of his paintings is housed in Bradford’s Cartwright Hall art gallery, but I’m told is not currently on show. A singular delight, then, in seeing these quite unexpected sketches. Gentle Author continues, for our delectation, to pluck astonishing rabbits out of the hat.

By: Rosemary Hoffman

Rosemary Hoffman — Sun, 17 Nov 2013 21:55:57 +0000

Very evocative- I remember it as it was as I had lived nearby in the early 1960’s. The shop front in Artillery lane is well remembered

By: Ros

Ros — Sun, 17 Nov 2013 12:00:36 +0000

Loved these observant and evocative drawings which brought back memories of how things were. I’d never heard of the artist and couldn’t find out much on line. Was he from Yorkshire?

By: Zena Sullivan

Zena Sullivan — Sun, 17 Nov 2013 10:46:46 +0000

I don’t suppose the church & crypt still caters for the homeless in this fashion.

By: David Carter

David Carter — Sun, 17 Nov 2013 09:16:09 +0000

I worked part time in a pub around the corner from Christ Church around after this time – the Black Eagle Tap, Brick Lane (I was only 18 at the time) – I lived with my mum and Dad in East Acton – got the Central Line to Liverpool Street. I have to cross Bishopsgate, Spital Field Market, the Ten Bells and Christ Church to get to the pub.

On a really cold frosty Saturday/Sunday morning (’71 – I can’t remember now) – I passed Christ Church, the entrance leading to the crypt, and a man who I presumed to be the Vicar – tallish, thin man with shoulder length white hair, who was bent over one of the poor homeless souls, who looked as if he had passed in the night.

The memory is still with me.

By: Margaret

Margaret — Sun, 17 Nov 2013 07:01:35 +0000

Wonderfully evocative illustrations. How much has changed?