Vintage electrics at St Lukes, Battersea

[ppppenguin]

This church has the remains of some lovely vintage electrical equipment. http://www.stlukeschurch.org.uk/welcome.htm

I was there last night for a concert given by the wonderful Mitsuko Uchida: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mitsuko_Uchida

The church is listed Grade 2* and was built in 1884. It claims to be the first church in London to be lit by electricity. I don't know when that was done but these pictures show 20th century kit, albeit quite early.

There are 2 marble switch panels with bronze(?) switches. No longer used. The impressive chandeliers (sorry about poor photo) are claimed to be based on a Cellini pendant jewel in the Pitti Palace, Florence.

[Lucien Nunes]

Those are rather splendid. I wonder what else, if anything, of the original installation remains?

[Craig]

I have possibly the best Mozart piano sonata cycle ever recorded by Mitsuko Uchida. You are a lucky man indeed to have heard her, particularly in such an intimate location. She nomally only does seriously major venues internationally.

Craig

[ppppenguin]

Doubt if much else survives. Perhaps odd scraps of cable and conduit.

This concert series at St Lukes seems to be able to get top artists though I've no idea how. Apparently that was Mitsuko Uchida's 2nd visit to St Lukes. Next year I'm seeing WIllard White there.

[ppppenguin]

Th history of the church says the electric light was installed in 1903:
http://www.stlukeschurch.org.uk/history.htm

[pwdrive]

Used to live not far from there, Queenstown Road when I worked for Visionhire on Streatham High.

Lawrence.

[peter scott]

 Next year I'm seeing WIllard White there.

Not the Howard Hughes character in Diamonds are Forever?

Peter 

http://jamesbond.wikia.com/wiki/Willard_Whyte

[Kalee20]

Super switches!