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Constructed by Joseph. Click on image. |
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Joseph received the kit church as a gift. It was of German origin. German letters/numbers have been found on the model, presumably denoting a model number. The model would have had no resemblance to the then nearby St. Phillips. It would have taken Joseph numerous days, filled with pain and incalculable patience to build it - even from kit form. We shouldn't undervalue this achievement, especially as he constructed the whole thing single-handed. Only one arm and hand were usable. The model gives us another insight into Joseph's pleasant character and sensitivity. |
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As far as the film, 'The Elephant Man' goes, much of the church was built from Joseph's own imagination, as only the uppermost level of St. Philips, could be seen from his window in Bedstead Square. This makes a good movie, but it simply didn't happen this way. Apart from anything else, St. Phillips wasn't visible from Bedstead Square. |
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Readers may perhaps be disappointed to hear that Joseph didn't create the model from scratch, from blank pieces of card. The fact that it was created at all was a humongous task. |
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After Joseph died, Mrs Kendall returned the model to the London Hospital Medical College where it is housed in a glass case at the hospital's resident museum. More than 100 years old, the model is still in wonderful condition. |
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| About St. Philips Church |
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Therefore, it was not of St. Philips (the nearby church). In any case, Joseph wouldn't have been able to see it from his window. |
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| Joseph's Card Church |
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This church was assembled by Joseph for the famous London stage actress, Mrs. Madge Kendall, in 1888. He built this model in hopes of meeting her. õShe never did come to see him but instead, sent her husband to pick it up.
In the film 'the Elephant Man', Mrs. Kendall visits Joseph at his home in the London Hospital annex, Bedstead Square. This is an incorrect account. |
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St. Phillips was demolished in 1890 (year of Joseph's death). This made way for a much larger church on the same site - also known as St. Philips. This latter church was designed by Arthur Cawston and still stands today. It is home to the Royal London Hospital's Medical Library, Archives & Museum. |
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Message from Jeanette Sitton, site author:
I'm happy to anounce that the church model has finally been moved from the Pathological Museum (where the skeleton is housed). In my opinion, this is long over due - it's such a beautiful object and well deserves public praise. It's on display, in its glass case, at the Royal London Hospital Archives and Museum at:
St Augustine with St Philip’s Church,
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| Newark Street, |
| London E1 2AA |
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| Tel: 020 7377 7608 |
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