Novelette-Aldoni Stewart to be next Chair of the Church Buildings Council

A conservator and heritage administrator, she leaves her role as Chair of the Church of England’s Contested Heritage Committee in order to take up her new post from next week.

She replaces Jennie Page, who stepped down in July after five years as Chair of the Church Buildings Council.

With extensive experience in both the UK and overseas as a conservator, curator and collections and heritage expert, Novelette has worked for a range of institutions including the Horniman and British Museums in London.

Her work abroad includes museum-related fieldwork in the sub-Sahara and in the Pacific.

She is currently studying for a doctorate as part of an AHRC (Arts and Humanities Research Council) Collaborative Doctoral Partnership between the British Museum and the Sainsbury Research Unit at the University of East Anglia.

Novelette will continue to serve as a member of the Cathedrals Fabric Commission for England and the Faculty Advisory Committee at Bristol Cathedral. 

Born in Jamaica before moving to the US and then the UK, Novelette has an MA in arts administration from New York University and an MSc in objects conservation from University College London.

She is a trustee of Art and Christianity, the body which seeks to foster dialogue between art, Christianity and other religious faiths.

Emily Gee, The Church of England's Director of Cathedral and Church Buildings, said: “We are delighted that Novelette is taking on the role of Chair of the Church Buildings Council. I would like to pay tribute to the work of Jennie Page who led the Council over the past five years, including through the challenges posed by the Covid pandemic.

“Novelette will bring her expertise, commitment and wisdom to the Council. We are grateful for her service and that of all our expert volunteers in helping our parish churches and those who care for them.”

The Bishop of Ramsbury, Andrew Rumsey, who is joint lead bishop for church buildings, said: “This appointment is super news: Novelette brings fresh insight and wide experience to this significant role in caring for our built heritage.”

Lord Boateng, Chair of the Archbishops' Commission for Racial Justice, who has worked with Novelette in her capacity as Chair of the Contested Heritage Committee, said: “The Church's buildings should be a source not simply of historic interest but of contemporary evangelism to a diverse and more youthful demographic.

"Novelette's exciting and ground-breaking appointment puts scholarship and the celebration of a loving and all-embracing Christ at the heart of the preservation and development of the buildings that make up the Church of England's and our nation's rich heritage."

 Novelette, a regular worshipper in the Church of England, said: “I’m humbled and delighted to serve God in this new role.

“The network of nearly 16,000 churches offers spiritual and practical support and serves as a place to welcome and facilitate worship for all within their communities. In them one recognises not only the material—precious cultural and historical heritage—but also our call to mission.

“I look forward to working to support the churches and dioceses who alongside our thousands of volunteers work so hard and tirelessly to care for our buildings.”