Kensal Green church recreates World War Two crib as a tribute to peace this Christmas

A picture of a 1939 crib at St John the Evangelist Church Kensal Green a year before the church was bombed during World War Two. Picture: Fr David Ackerman (Image: Archant)

St John’s the Evangelist Church is recreating the crib from photographs taken in 1939 before the building in Kilburn Lane was bombed in November 1940.

For the first time the Christmas tree will be placed outside with the crib placed inside.

“Christmas Day last year was the day we first heard our new bells and who would have imagined this awful year?” Fr David Ackerman, vicar, said. “And who would have imagined the sort of country we would become with a government telling us who can come into our homes on Christmas Day?

“People are not banned from visiting a crib, not yet at least” he added.

St John the Evangelist Church Kensal Green. Picture: Fr David Ackerman (Image: Archant)

“The church was bombed in November 1940 and one letter we have is from a mother whose letter to Fr Tipper, the then Vicar, says ‘my daughter asked me what happened to the crib’. It survived. Christmas 1940 would have been memorable as services took place as usual with most of the glass blown out and a hole in the roof”.

The church recently raised more than £250 for the Royal British Legion and in August unveiled a tribute to the Windrush Generation with a commemorative sundial.

There will be “Gift of Faith” resources at the crib such as buying a parcel or a meal for vulnerable families with all proceeds going to support of Aid to the Church in Need.

Fr Ackerman’s book, Nicolas and the Six Bells, written during lockdown to mark St John’s the Evangelist Church’s 175th anniversary, has raised more than £1,500 for the charity.

Fr David added: “I hope that visitors to the crib will reflect on those who contributed to the peace and freedoms we enjoy.”