Nice Churches
I'm not a xtian but, from time to time, I like to have a look round churches (usually old ones) just for the beauty and curiosity of them. Not in any disrespectful way, you understand.
Today, after 30 odd years in Tooting, I finally popped into St Anselms (the big catholic church) on Tooting Bec corner and I was a wee bit disappointed. I presumed it was built on the site of the Marie le Bec monastery (?) and, so, would be full of nice, old stuff. It was handsome inside but it was very plain. It has a lovely dome (from the outside) but it is just plaster (on the inside).
Are there any pretty or interesting churches in the Tooting/Balham area?
Comments
All Saints in Franciscan rd is quite special
All Saints Church
St boniface church catholic church Tooting is stunning inside well worth a visit
i like St Annes Wandsworth - inside nothing special, because its a bit Victorian'd, outside and general shape lovely.
Christ Church Streatham - near the top of Brixton Hill (if that isn't too far away for you) is a beautiful Byzantine Church c. 1830s. There are stained glass windows by Walter Hart Crane on the left side of the aisle. He has a lovely monograph that he puts at the bottom. Maybe check for opening times. 86745723.
But the most beautiful local church inside and out is Holy Trinity on Clapham Common - very near Clapham Common Tube Station.Oh - also gorgeous St Luke's, Ramsden Road, nr Clapham South - gloriously ornate Victorian. They have a porgramme of musical events.
Thank you lovely people..... I shall visit these nice places.
I went into the one on the corner of Trinity Crescent and Trinity Road recently (was having a bit of a crisis at the time tho I'm not religious ether!) and was surprised at how lovely and big it is inside. It looks tiny from the outside. Their little garden is very pretty too.
Yes, Holy Trinity is very special and has a real history behind it because it was William Wilberforce's church and played a big role in the anti-slavery movement.
Hi Caroline,
St Mary's church on Putney High Street is of particular interest as it was the meeting venue of the cavaliers and roundheads at the time of the Enclish civil war. It has also been completely refurbished to it's original design after it was gutted in an arson attack in the 1970's. It also has a nice coffee shop attached to it.
Well worth a visit.
Barnaby
No-one's mentioned St Mary's Battersea yet, which is certainly my candidate for the most beautiful church in our area: authentic Georgian (1777), by the river, with memorial windows to JMW Turner, Benedict Arnold and William Blake. River views outside and a lovely calm atmosphere inside.
Has anyone been inside that pretty Polish catholic church next to DuCane Court?
St Michaels church on Wandsworth Common, opposite the duckpond on Bolingbroke Grove, is a smallish church with a pretty chancel - it is open for quiet reflection every Wednesday evening from 6.00 to 8.00
It's not in Tooting or Balham, but I would throughly recommend a visit to St Mary the Virgin in Merton Park. It's a 12th Century Church with many historical connections to the old Merton Abbey and some local historical characters, such as Admiral Nelson, whose bench remains in the church. The church and its locality is lovely, like a peaceful English village in the heart of South London. More information here:
http://www.stmarysmerton.org.uk
12th century, you say?
Very interesting, Antonia. Will make a point of visiting it.
Hi Caroline,
Did you get a chance to visit St Mary's, Putney High Street?
Not yet, but I will if you recommend it....
Could be a jolly hire a mini-bus and do a tour and fix up guides along the way
Trinity Road Chapel next to playing fields near Wandsworth C
Trinity Road Chapel, next to playing fields near Wandsworth Common, was founded in 1870 and the present chapel was built in 1873. It has a foundation stone laid by C. H. Spurgeon. You won't find any candlesticks, statues or stained glass windows but you will find a warm welcome and faithful preaching of God's word. There is also a coffee shop attached, Cafe207, which is very child friendly and is much frequented by Mums and Carers and their children.
Sorry, my fingers stuttered on my previous post! Here is a photo inside Trinity road Chapel, or TRC as it is generally known.
Did you see the beautiful mosaic wall in the courtyard at St Anselm's? It was made by the church community 2 years ago. You can see it if you walk on the outside, as if going towards the common.
St Mary's Church, Balham. A Grade II listed building with beautiful mosaics in the chancel, hopefully soon to be restored now the chancel appeal has been launched. Do look at the website: stmarybalham.org.uk. It's a gem of a church!
Concetta, I have seen it many times as I go past to the chip shop or to Sainsbury's...
I've heard or read that St Marys puts on beautiful music recitals, though I've not made it to one yet. I just checked the website (thanks to Sarah M) and found there is a free Stravinsky concert on the 26th May: http://stmarybalham.org.uk/whats_on/concerts.aspx
Great music at St Luke's Ramsden Road also.
http://www.stlukeschurch.org.uk/welcome.htm
Look for 'Music' page.
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