Conferences
Belief and Beauty:
The Spiritual World of Isabella Stewart Gardner
February 7, 2026
The Advent and Grafton House hosted an immersive day colloquium on the spiritual influences of former parishioner, Isabella Stewart Gardner.
We welcomed and enjoyed fascinating presentations and discussions offered by a panel of experts. The Choir of The Church of the Advent concluded the day with an Evensong featuring music from the choir’s repertory during Mrs. Gardner’s lifetime.
Isabella Stewart Gardner in 1888. (Courtesy Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum)
Listen to the entire colloquium via this video playlist or jump to a specific speaker through the links included with each individual speaker below.
Enjoy a few photos from the day.
Choral Evensong
The full choir of The Church of the Advent will sing Choral Evensong to conclude the Colloquium: “Belief and Beauty, The Spiritual World of Isabella Stewart Gardner.”
The Evensong is free and open to the general public; registration for, or attendance at, the colloquium is not required to attend the service. Music featured is from the choir’s repertory during Mrs Gardner’s lifetime. All are welcome.
Music selections include:
Thomas Tallis: Responses
Charles Villiers Stanford: Evening Service in B-flat
John E. West: Hide me under the shadow of thy wings
Charles Villiers Stanford: Beati quorum via
Keynote speakers include:
Natalie Dykstra
Author of Chasing Beauty: The Life of Isabella Stewart Gardner (2024)
Diana Greenwald
William and Lia Poorvu Curator of the Collection, Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum
Br James Koester, SSJE
Historian and Archivist of the Society of St John the Evangelist
Father Ian McCormack
The Church of the Advent
Panel Discussion
