A Memorial for Evelyn Underhill
(A couple of weeks ago Barry Orford wrote an article about the remarkable life of Evelyn Underhill who is buried in the Additional Burial Ground. Followers from all over the world come looking for her grave, but it is hard to spot because she is described simply as ‘Evelyn,’ the wife of Hubert Stuart Moore. There is no reference to her achievements and Hampstead Parish Church would like to create a fitting memorial for her, to provide a focus for those coming to honour her and to help new followers to connect with her. A ledger stone to be has been designed by Lois Anderson, a well-known local artist, which will incorporate the existing granite cross.)
Barry writes “Why raise money to improve the stone on a grave in our Additional Burial Ground? The answer is that it marks the resting place of Evelyn Underhill (1875-1941), one of the most important figures in the Twentieth Century Church of England. Yet you would probably walk past her grave unless you were familiar with her name and looking for it. The planned ledger stone is intended to give her the prominence she merits.
What is her connection with Hampstead? She and her husband lived near Holland Park, but with the coming of the Blitz they came to join friends in their home at Lawn House, Hampstead Square. Her health was rapidly failing, and a move away from the most intense bombing was essential. After her death on June 15th, 1941, her funeral was held at Christ Church before her body was brought to St John’s for burial.
In my earlier article I have suggested some of the ways in which this remarkable woman affected the life and thought of the Church of England. She deserves remembrance and honour for these alone. But her work was rooted in the person she became, and her impact lay not just in her writings but also in the witness of her life to the glory and the cost of Christian discipleship.
We can meet her only through her writings, but her body, through which the Spirit of Christ reached out to so many, deserves reverence. If ever a burial has made a place holy ground, it is here. The words of her friend T. S. Eliot remain true – ‘There is holy ground, and the sanctity shall not depart from it … From such ground springs that which forever renews the earth / Though it is forever denied.’
Visitors who treasure the life and work of Evelyn Underhill do indeed come in search of her grave as a ‘thin place’, where time and eternity, earth and heaven meet because of the woman who lies there. It is right that they should find a commemorative stone worthy of her.”
The photographs show her grave and the proposed ledger stone. If you want to know more there is a link on the homepage of the church website to the Evelyn Underhill Memorial Appeal page or you can use this link https://history.hampsteadparishchurch.org.uk/mon_info/abg_p_080b.php
Donations can be made via the church’s web using this link https://hampsteadparishchurch.org.uk/data/donate.php quoting the reference “Underhill” or by cheque to Hampstead Parish Church, Church Row, London NW3 6UU. Please write “Underhill on the reverse of the cheque.
If you have any questions, or know of anyone else who might be interested in supporting a memorial for this remarkable woman, please contact Jeremy on email [email protected]
