FOREWORD
Samuel Taylor Coleridge (1772-1834) or STC as he was better known locally, was a legend in his lifetime and he surely remains so to this day. By most he is regarded as the greatest poet/philosopher/ theologian and literary critic this country has ever produced. Some think that his poetry rivals William Shakespeare (who he hugely admired).
He lived in Highgate from 1816. for the last 18 years of his life, he worshipped in the beautiful and newly built St Michael’s Church and, in 1834, died across the road from the church at No 3 The Grove. He always regarded these years as some of the happiest and most contented of his constantly troubled life.
Initially, he was buried in a family tomb in the local cemetery and in due course the remains of his wife Sarah, daughter Sara, son in law Henry, and grandson Herbert joined him there. During the course of the 19th century Highgate School Chapel was built in the cemetery over what had become a drab mausoleum. And there the coffins remained, beneath the chapel and open to the elements gradually deteriorating, until 1961. In that year, after a long campaign, enough money was raised to re-inter the whole family in the crypt of St Michael’s church. To be more accurate they were brought here and, through lack of funds, simply bricked up at the back of a 17th century wine cellar under the church originally belonging to an earlier building on this same site.
And that is where the coffins are now, just visible through the air-vents, covered in dust and surrounded with rubble. This desolate crypt is surely not an appropriate resting place for one of the internationally renowned giants of the 19th century English romantic movement?
The Coleridge Trust was formed to confront this lamentable situation and undertake the task of refurbishing parts of the undercroft and especially the actual burial area in the disused wine cellar. The vision is to create an attractive and usable space where people can come to discover more about the poet, his life and family, his poetry and philosophical and other writing. Surely not an insurmountable challenge?
In the longer term we hope to use this refurbished area as the basis for a wider conversion of the cellar area providing, whilst still devoted to Coleridge, a small café and further rooms for community use.
We hope you too will be inspired to contribute to the scheme. It is only with your help that this can be achieved.
Please donate as you are able and in return, we will keep you posted with details of how the trust is growing and alert you of events being held by us.
Sir Paul Coleridge (Great X5 nephew of STC
OUR VISION
To create a nationally recognised centre in Highgate for the enhancement and deeper understanding of the poetry, literature, theological thought, and philosophy of Samuel Taylor Coleridge who lived here and is buried at St Michael’s Church Highgate. He was a visionary who helped shape our national imagination, and this new space will allow St Michael’s Church to become a creative focus and vibrant hub for local, regional national and international groups with a shared interest in grappling with, studying and appreciation of one of England’s greatest poets who worked at a formative time of our emerging national identity.
OBJECTIVES
REGENERATION
Not only will our project attract many more visitors per year to Highgate village than currently, it will contribute to Highgate’s seriously under-developed, tourist capacity. With proper marketing, publicity, and liaison there is every reason to believe that the Coleridge Centre will attract domestic and international visitors. This could lead to employment opportunities within the project itself, as well as contributing substantially to the local economy.
CONSERVATION
Based in an already internationally recognised centre of interest for travellers from all over the world our project will reveal, conserve and secure a safe future for the international heritage of which Coleridge’s resting place within the church of St Michael’s is a substantial historical expression. It will secure a safe and protected future for the remains of Samuel Taylor Coleridge and his family which is currently in danger of further deterioration. It will seek to build a comprehensive archive devoted to his work and those of his legacy including his daughter, Sarah, a much-neglected genius of the Victorian age.
RESILIENCE
The aim of the project is to be self-funding as far as is possible. Revenues will accrue from visitor donations and expenditure; the hiring out of accessible rooms to statutory and non-statutory agencies alike; by creating with our partners an educational environment in which the works of the poet and his legacy may be studied, and where a deeper understanding of those works may be achieved. A shop and café envisaged in our plan, will also contribute to revenue.
ENGAGEMENT
The project will seek to engage with all the residents of Highgate and London, the UK and Internationally to enhance an understanding of Coleridge’s work and legacy. It will achieve this by delivering new and improved spaces within the buildings fabric that will excite and engage visitors and the community. It will deliver a far-reaching Activity Plan that targets all groups regardless of age, education, faith or ethnicity.
CELEBRATION
The Coleridge Centre will celebrate the life, family and works of a poet of local, national and international renown. Moreover, it will celebrate the church in which they rest, and provide a focal point in which the community of interest which he has helped establish can come together and celebrate itself.