|
    
| By the 1870s, London had expanded into ancient Surrey
woodland and substantial houses were appearing on the hills
around what is now Upper Norwood populated by affluent
businessmen and retirees from the colonies. Meanwhile on lower
ground, more modest housing was appearing for the workers. To
meet the needs of the new community a temporary, but quite large
iron church was erected in 1873. The Priests-in-charge were
Philip Kingswood and Thomas Helmore. The latter was an
acknowledged expert in Plainsong which was later to become a
feature and tradition of the new, permanent church.
In October
1875, the iron church was moved to the site in Auckland Road and
in early 1876 became a parish church with the Reverend William
Fairbairn La Trobe-Bateman (right) its first vicar. His first
task was to address the debts of over £1000 that had accumulated
over the years and to begin planning for a more permanent
structure to replace the iron church. |
 |
|
 |
On 15th February 1878, at the age of 29, the vicar’s wife
Mildred Jane died of Tuberculosis. A fund was set up for a memorial
chancel in her name. The eminent architect, John Loughborough
Pearson was appointed with a remit to draw up plans for a
building to seat 1000 people. However, whilst the Foundation
stone was laid on 6th of May that year it remained covered over
in a field whilst more money was raised. A building fund raised
a further £3000 and the Church Commissioners added a £1000
conditional upon a tower being built. This last condition was
never realised, with the planned spire truncated at roof level.
|
|
| By May 1881, the total building fund of 7,156
pounds, 17 shillings and six-and-a-half pence was considered
sufficient for work to commence. Just a year later on 22nd May,
Archbishop Tait dedicated the chancel, a portion of the South
aisle and two bays of the nave. After more building work, it was
on 30th April 1887 that the building was finally consecrated.
Believed by some to be the finest ecclesiastical building in
London south of the Thames, the Church is externally of red
brick with dressing of Bath stone. It has corner turrets with
pyramidal roofs, a chapel parallel to the chancel and 13th
century mouldings. The interior vaulting has ribs and groins of
Bath stone, and cells of yellow stock brick. The total interior
length of the church is 142 feet, with the width of the nave
being 77 feet—half the length.
|
 |
|
| |
|
