Ronald Sims
Encyclopedia
Ronald Sims was a distinguished ecclesiastical architect who redesigned many English church interiors. His style combined modernism
with a respect for tradition and particularly the arts and crafts
movement. He graduated in 1952, when he joined the practice of George Pace
, the ecclesiastical architect based in York
. In 1975 he inherited the practice after Pace died.
He designed the Chapter House at Southwark Cathedral
and the interior of St Mary's
in Putney which had been completely gutted by fire. He similarly transformed Heslington Church
near York University
.
His work was recognised in 1999 when the Archbishop of Canterbury
(then George Carey
) awarded him a Lambeth Degree
for his contribution to Church building.
Modernism
Modernism, in its broadest definition, is modern thought, character, or practice. More specifically, the term describes the modernist movement, its set of cultural tendencies and array of associated cultural movements, originally arising from wide-scale and far-reaching changes to Western society...
with a respect for tradition and particularly the arts and crafts
Arts and crafts
Arts and crafts comprise a whole host of activities and hobbies that are related to making things with one's hands and skill. These can be sub-divided into handicrafts or "traditional crafts" and "the rest"...
movement. He graduated in 1952, when he joined the practice of George Pace
George Pace
George Pace , English architect, was born in Croydon, Surrey.He won many prizes as a student including the Pugin Studentship in 1937 and the RIBA Asphitel Prize for the best architectural student in England....
, the ecclesiastical architect based in York
York
York is a walled city, situated at the confluence of the Rivers Ouse and Foss in North Yorkshire, England. The city has a rich heritage and has provided the backdrop to major political events throughout much of its two millennia of existence...
. In 1975 he inherited the practice after Pace died.
He designed the Chapter House at Southwark Cathedral
Southwark Cathedral
Southwark Cathedral or The Cathedral and Collegiate Church of St Saviour and St Mary Overie, Southwark, London, lies on the south bank of the River Thames close to London Bridge....
and the interior of St Mary's
St. Mary's Church, Putney
St. Mary's Church , Putney is an Anglican church in Putney, London sited next to the river Thames, beside the southern approach to Putney Bridge. There has been a centre of Christian worship on this site from at least the 13th century, and the church is still very active today...
in Putney which had been completely gutted by fire. He similarly transformed Heslington Church
Heslington Church
Heslington Church is in the parish of Heslington, near York, England. As well as the village and some more modern housing estates, the church also serves some outlying farms...
near York University
York University
York University is a public research university in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. It is Canada's third-largest university, Ontario's second-largest graduate school, and Canada's leading interdisciplinary university....
.
His work was recognised in 1999 when the Archbishop of Canterbury
Archbishop of Canterbury
The Archbishop of Canterbury is the senior bishop and principal leader of the Church of England, the symbolic head of the worldwide Anglican Communion, and the diocesan bishop of the Diocese of Canterbury. In his role as head of the Anglican Communion, the archbishop leads the third largest group...
(then George Carey
George Carey
George Leonard Carey, Baron Carey of Clifton PC, FKC is a former Archbishop of Canterbury, holding the office from 1991 to 2002. He was the first modern holder of the office not to have attended Oxford or Cambridge University...
) awarded him a Lambeth Degree
Lambeth degree
A Lambeth degree is an academic degree conferred by the Archbishop of Canterbury under the authority of the Ecclesiastical Licences Act 1533 as successor of the papal legate in England...
for his contribution to Church building.
Ecclesiastical buildings restored by Sims
- St. Mary's Church, CliftonSt. Mary's Church, CliftonSt. Mary's Church, Clifton is a parish church in the Church of England in Clifton, Nottinghamshire.The church is Grade I listed by the Department for Culture, Media & Sport as a building of outstanding architectural or historic interest.-History:...
(between 1969 and 1979) - St. Mary's, South Hylton (1970)
- St. Mary's Church, PutneySt. Mary's Church, PutneySt. Mary's Church , Putney is an Anglican church in Putney, London sited next to the river Thames, beside the southern approach to Putney Bridge. There has been a centre of Christian worship on this site from at least the 13th century, and the church is still very active today...
(1983) - St Elphin's Church, WarringtonSt Elphin's Church, WarringtonSt Elphin's Church, Warrington is the parish church of the town of Warrington, Cheshire, England. The church has been designated by English Heritage as a Grade II* listed building. It is an active Anglican parish church in the diocese of Liverpool, the archdeaconry of Warrington and the...
(1999) - Southwark CathedralSouthwark CathedralSouthwark Cathedral or The Cathedral and Collegiate Church of St Saviour and St Mary Overie, Southwark, London, lies on the south bank of the River Thames close to London Bridge....
(Chapter house, 1989)