St. Mary's Church, Walthamstow
Encyclopedia
St. Mary’s Church, Walthamstow is in Walthamstow Village
, a conservation area in Walthamstow
, London
. It was founded in the 12th century and is still a working church. It retains over one hundred and fifty brass
es and monument
s, the oldest dating from 1436, though all that now remains of the original Norman
church is some pillar bases and the chisel marks on them.
or chancel
of unknown size at the east end. It was probably built of flint rubble and stood where the present nave
now stands.
It is believed that the north aisle
of the church was rebuilt in the 13th century and the south aisle in the 14th century, both extending east only as far as the current chancel arch. In the 15th century a tower was added at the west end and the chancel was also extended eastward.
In 1535, Sir George Monoux
, Alderman
of London and Master of the Worshipful Company of Drapers
, one of the guilds of the City of London
, repaired the north aisle and built a chapel
on the east end of it running along the north wall of the chancel. At the same time, Monoux demolished the top 12 meters (40 feet) of the tower and rebuilt it in Tudor
brick, adding a spiral stairway in a turret
at the south-east corner of the tower. In the same year, money from Robert Thorne
(a wealthy London merchant who, like Monoux, originated from Bristol
and became Lord Mayor of the City of London) was used to completely rebuild the south aisle and to add a chapel on its eastern end.
Internal galleries to provide extra seating for the congregation
were added in the 18th century, the first being constructed at the west end of the church in 1710, with further galleries being built in the north and south aisles during the the course of the century. In 1819, the aisle galleries were linked with the the western one, and the walls of the nave at the west end were increased in height. At the same time, the old windows of the nave were bricked up and the present gothic revival ones cut. In 1843, the rest of the walls of the chuch were increased in height to match that of the west end, and the pillars of the nave were heightened and remodelled to their to their present shape, leaving only the column
bases as the final remmant of the 12th century church above ground level. A rose window
was also inserted in the east wall of the chancel.
In 1876, the galleries were 'thrown back' from the nave pillars (i.e. reduced in width by one half), an older plaster ceiling was removed and a roof of stained wood installed. The private box pews which had accrued in the nave since the Reformation
were also removed and replaced by open benches which were, in turn, superseded by the current pews in the 1920s, together with oak panelling to the rear and sides of the church and in the galleries as a First World War
memorial. Choir stalls of carved oak were given to the church by Sir William Mallinson in 1939 in memory of his father.
In 1936 the east wall was found to be suffering from structural failure and, during the course of repairs, the opportunity was taken to rebuild that part of the church and extend the chancel 3 meters (12 feet) east and to build vestries
on either side. In 1939, a large window in perpendicular gothic
style was added to the east end of the church.
St Mary's suffered serious damage during Second World War
. On 4 October 1940 the south aisle roof was destroyed by incendiary
bomb and the gallery on that side was subsequently demolished to provide timber for repairing the church. On 8 October 1944, a bomb damaged the north side of the church tower. It was reported that a bomb disposal
officer who investigated the scene in the dark could "feel the shape of a bomb and the jagged edge of its fins." The churchyard was closed for two Sundays pending investigations. It transpired that the "bomb" was an old lead coffin, broken open by debris failing from the tower.
During the spring of 1942 all the railings surrounding the churchyard and most of those round the monuments were removed to provide scrap iron help the war effort. All that remained were the north and south gates.
Post-war
restoration of the church included a new heating system (with a boiler house built outside the north porch) and the rebuilding of the Organ (music)
. The railings outside were replaced in 1955. In the early 1960s the east end of the south aisle was remodelled to create a side chapel.
Between 1995 and 2001, extensive refurbishment of the church took place, which included removing three rows of pews from the west end of the nave, reflooring and creating a larger entrance area adjacent to the west door. When the floor was removed some of the crypt underneath the church were rediscovered. During the same work, when the ceiling from the entrance lobby underneath the bell tower was removed, it revealed several large oak beams probably used during the reconstruction of the tower in the 16th century. It was decided that these beams would be refurbished and left permanently exposed; the 18th century beams of the south porch roof were similarly restored and left exposed. At the same period a disabled
toilet
and refreshment area were installed and the sanctuary was reordered.
In 2001, the floor of the chancel was lowered and extended into the nave to provide an open space for worship. Two of the choir stalls were retained in the sanctuary and the rest relocated to the west end of the gallery. Communion
can now be celebrated at the front of the nave and served on three sides.
The church is now also a music and recording venue, and holds 'St. Mary's Music Festival' in June.
Walthamstow Village
Walthamstow Village is an ancient nucleus of present day Walthamstow, located in North East London. Designated a Conservation Area by the Borough of Waltham Forest in 1967, it centres around St. Mary's Church, which was founded in the 12th century. Across the road from this is a 15th century...
, a conservation area in Walthamstow
Walthamstow
Walthamstow is a district of northeast London, England, located in the London Borough of Waltham Forest. It is situated north-east of Charing Cross...
, London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
. It was founded in the 12th century and is still a working church. It retains over one hundred and fifty brass
Brass
Brass is an alloy of copper and zinc; the proportions of zinc and copper can be varied to create a range of brasses with varying properties.In comparison, bronze is principally an alloy of copper and tin...
es and monument
Monument
A monument is a type of structure either explicitly created to commemorate a person or important event or which has become important to a social group as a part of their remembrance of historic times or cultural heritage, or simply as an example of historic architecture...
s, the oldest dating from 1436, though all that now remains of the original Norman
Norman architecture
About|Romanesque architecture, primarily English|other buildings in Normandy|Architecture of Normandy.File:Durham Cathedral. Nave by James Valentine c.1890.jpg|thumb|200px|The nave of Durham Cathedral demonstrates the characteristic round arched style, though use of shallow pointed arches above the...
church is some pillar bases and the chisel marks on them.
History
The first church building on the site was constructed in the 12th century, and measured about 15 meters by 8 meters (46 feet by 24 feet) with a sanctuarySanctuary
A sanctuary is any place of safety. They may be categorized into human and non-human .- Religious sanctuary :A religious sanctuary can be a sacred place , or a consecrated area of a church or temple around its tabernacle or altar.- Sanctuary as a sacred place :#Sanctuary as a sacred place:#:In...
or chancel
Chancel
In church architecture, the chancel is the space around the altar in the sanctuary at the liturgical east end of a traditional Christian church building...
of unknown size at the east end. It was probably built of flint rubble and stood where the present nave
Nave
In Romanesque and Gothic Christian abbey, cathedral basilica and church architecture, the nave is the central approach to the high altar, the main body of the church. "Nave" was probably suggested by the keel shape of its vaulting...
now stands.
It is believed that the north aisle
Aisle
An aisle is, in general, a space for walking with rows of seats on both sides or with rows of seats on one side and a wall on the other...
of the church was rebuilt in the 13th century and the south aisle in the 14th century, both extending east only as far as the current chancel arch. In the 15th century a tower was added at the west end and the chancel was also extended eastward.
In 1535, Sir George Monoux
George Monoux
Sir George Monoux , born in Walthamstow, Essex, England, was made Sheriff of London in 1509 and became the Lord Mayor of London in 1514.On 15 June 1527 Monoux purchased land for almshouses and a school in Walthamstow...
, Alderman
Alderman
An alderman is a member of a municipal assembly or council in many jurisdictions founded upon English law. The term may be titular, denoting a high-ranking member of a borough or county council, a council member chosen by the elected members themselves rather than by popular vote, or a council...
of London and Master of the Worshipful Company of Drapers
Worshipful Company of Drapers
The Worshipful Company of Drapers is one of the 108 Livery Companies of the City of London; it has the formal name of The Master and Wardens and Brethren and Sisters of the Guild or Fraternity of the Blessed Mary the Virgin of the Mystery of Drapers of the City of London but is more usually known...
, one of the guilds of the City of London
City of London
The City of London is a small area within Greater London, England. It is the historic core of London around which the modern conurbation grew and has held city status since time immemorial. The City’s boundaries have remained almost unchanged since the Middle Ages, and it is now only a tiny part of...
, repaired the north aisle and built a chapel
Chapel
A chapel is a building used by Christians as a place of fellowship and worship. It may be part of a larger structure or complex, such as a church, college, hospital, palace, prison or funeral home, located on board a military or commercial ship, or it may be an entirely free-standing building,...
on the east end of it running along the north wall of the chancel. At the same time, Monoux demolished the top 12 meters (40 feet) of the tower and rebuilt it in Tudor
Tudor style architecture
The Tudor architectural style is the final development of medieval architecture during the Tudor period and even beyond, for conservative college patrons...
brick, adding a spiral stairway in a turret
Turret
In architecture, a turret is a small tower that projects vertically from the wall of a building such as a medieval castle. Turrets were used to provide a projecting defensive position allowing covering fire to the adjacent wall in the days of military fortification...
at the south-east corner of the tower. In the same year, money from Robert Thorne
Robert Thorne
Robert Thorne was an English cricketer.Thorne represented Hampshire in two first-class matches in 1883...
(a wealthy London merchant who, like Monoux, originated from Bristol
Bristol
Bristol is a city, unitary authority area and ceremonial county in South West England, with an estimated population of 433,100 for the unitary authority in 2009, and a surrounding Larger Urban Zone with an estimated 1,070,000 residents in 2007...
and became Lord Mayor of the City of London) was used to completely rebuild the south aisle and to add a chapel on its eastern end.
Internal galleries to provide extra seating for the congregation
Congregation
A congregation is a large gathering of people, often for the purpose of worship:* Local church* Congregation , an administrative body of the Roman Catholic Church...
were added in the 18th century, the first being constructed at the west end of the church in 1710, with further galleries being built in the north and south aisles during the the course of the century. In 1819, the aisle galleries were linked with the the western one, and the walls of the nave at the west end were increased in height. At the same time, the old windows of the nave were bricked up and the present gothic revival ones cut. In 1843, the rest of the walls of the chuch were increased in height to match that of the west end, and the pillars of the nave were heightened and remodelled to their to their present shape, leaving only the column
Column
A column or pillar in architecture and structural engineering is a vertical structural element that transmits, through compression, the weight of the structure above to other structural elements below. For the purpose of wind or earthquake engineering, columns may be designed to resist lateral forces...
bases as the final remmant of the 12th century church above ground level. A rose window
Rose window
A Rose window is often used as a generic term applied to a circular window, but is especially used for those found in churches of the Gothic architectural style and being divided into segments by stone mullions and tracery...
was also inserted in the east wall of the chancel.
In 1876, the galleries were 'thrown back' from the nave pillars (i.e. reduced in width by one half), an older plaster ceiling was removed and a roof of stained wood installed. The private box pews which had accrued in the nave since the Reformation
Reformation
- Movements :* Protestant Reformation, an attempt by Martin Luther to reform the Roman Catholic Church that resulted in a schism, and grew into a wider movement...
were also removed and replaced by open benches which were, in turn, superseded by the current pews in the 1920s, together with oak panelling to the rear and sides of the church and in the galleries as a First World War
World War I
World War I , which was predominantly called the World War or the Great War from its occurrence until 1939, and the First World War or World War I thereafter, was a major war centred in Europe that began on 28 July 1914 and lasted until 11 November 1918...
memorial. Choir stalls of carved oak were given to the church by Sir William Mallinson in 1939 in memory of his father.
In 1936 the east wall was found to be suffering from structural failure and, during the course of repairs, the opportunity was taken to rebuild that part of the church and extend the chancel 3 meters (12 feet) east and to build vestries
Vestry
A vestry is a room in or attached to a church or synagogue in which the vestments, vessels, records, etc., are kept , and in which the clergy and choir robe or don their vestments for divine service....
on either side. In 1939, a large window in perpendicular gothic
English Gothic architecture
English Gothic is the name of the architectural style that flourished in England from about 1180 until about 1520.-Introduction:As with the Gothic architecture of other parts of Europe, English Gothic is defined by its pointed arches, vaulted roofs, buttresses, large windows, and spires...
style was added to the east end of the church.
St Mary's suffered serious damage during Second World War
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
. On 4 October 1940 the south aisle roof was destroyed by incendiary
Incendiary
Incendiary means "capable of causing fire". It may also refer to:* Incendiary device, a device designed to cause fires* Incendiary ammunition, a projectile designed to set fire to a target* Incendiary , a novel by Chris Cleave...
bomb and the gallery on that side was subsequently demolished to provide timber for repairing the church. On 8 October 1944, a bomb damaged the north side of the church tower. It was reported that a bomb disposal
Bomb disposal
Bomb disposal is the process by which hazardous explosive devices are rendered safe. Bomb disposal is an all encompassing term to describe the separate, but interrelated functions in the following fields:*Military:...
officer who investigated the scene in the dark could "feel the shape of a bomb and the jagged edge of its fins." The churchyard was closed for two Sundays pending investigations. It transpired that the "bomb" was an old lead coffin, broken open by debris failing from the tower.
During the spring of 1942 all the railings surrounding the churchyard and most of those round the monuments were removed to provide scrap iron help the war effort. All that remained were the north and south gates.
Post-war
Post-war
A post-war period or postwar period is the interval immediately following the ending of a war and enduring as long as war does not resume. A post-war period can become an interwar period or interbellum when a war between the same parties resumes at a later date...
restoration of the church included a new heating system (with a boiler house built outside the north porch) and the rebuilding of the Organ (music)
Organ
-Biology and medicine:*Organ , a collection of tissues joined in structural unit to serve a common function*Organ pipe coral, a marine organism native to the Indian and Pacific Oceans*Stenocereus thurberi, the organ pipe cactus plant-Music:...
. The railings outside were replaced in 1955. In the early 1960s the east end of the south aisle was remodelled to create a side chapel.
Between 1995 and 2001, extensive refurbishment of the church took place, which included removing three rows of pews from the west end of the nave, reflooring and creating a larger entrance area adjacent to the west door. When the floor was removed some of the crypt underneath the church were rediscovered. During the same work, when the ceiling from the entrance lobby underneath the bell tower was removed, it revealed several large oak beams probably used during the reconstruction of the tower in the 16th century. It was decided that these beams would be refurbished and left permanently exposed; the 18th century beams of the south porch roof were similarly restored and left exposed. At the same period a disabled
Disability
A disability may be physical, cognitive, mental, sensory, emotional, developmental or some combination of these.Many people would rather be referred to as a person with a disability instead of handicapped...
toilet
Toilet
A toilet is a sanitation fixture used primarily for the disposal of human excrement, often found in a small room referred to as a toilet/bathroom/lavatory...
and refreshment area were installed and the sanctuary was reordered.
In 2001, the floor of the chancel was lowered and extended into the nave to provide an open space for worship. Two of the choir stalls were retained in the sanctuary and the rest relocated to the west end of the gallery. Communion
Eucharist
The Eucharist , also called Holy Communion, the Sacrament of the Altar, the Blessed Sacrament, the Lord's Supper, and other names, is a Christian sacrament or ordinance...
can now be celebrated at the front of the nave and served on three sides.
St. Mary's today
St. Mary's is an active church today, with a large multi-cultural congregation and involved in supporting its local community.The church is now also a music and recording venue, and holds 'St. Mary's Music Festival' in June.