All Hallows Twickenham
Encyclopedia
All Hallows Twickenham is a grade I listed church and parish of the Church of England
in Twickenham
, London
. It is located prominently on Chertsey Road (A316)
, a major road artery of West London, near Twickenham Stadium
.
The church is the continuation of Christopher Wren
's All Hallows Lombard Street
, in the City of London
, which was demolished in 1939 and its stone square tower, bells, stone cloister, and interior fittings and furnishings moved to the new site in Twickenham.
The church is also a continuation of St Martin's Mission Church, which had stood about half a mile to the south since 1914. The site of the former chapel was at the southern end of Whitton Road, beside Heatham House, and is now the location of the local beekeepers' association. St Martin's was a mission of the parish of St Mary the Virgin Twickenham. In 1933, it became a conventional district with its own priest in charge
, Harold Schofield. The modern parish of All Hallows is founded on St Martin's district, and had Schofield as its first vicar.
The church was designed by Robert Atkinson
, a modern build based on Wren's original plans for All Hallows Lombard Street. The foundation stone was laid by the Bishop of London
, Arthur Winnington-Ingram
, on 11 July 1939, and the new church was consecrated on 9 November 1940 by his successor Geoffrey Fisher
. During its consecration, air-raid precautions were in place and anti-aircraft gun fire could be heard in the distance, leading Bishop Fisher to say, "churches are being destroyed by agencies more unnatural and vile than the Great Fire [which had destroyed All Hallows Lombard Street]".
The main body of the church is a brick-built basilica
with a narthex
leading through the cloister to the old tower to the north, and to St Martin's Chapel to the south. The original Wren tower houses a peal of ten bells, including some of those that were originally hung at St Dionis Backchurch
, then at Lombard Street, before coming to Twickenham. A massive oak gateway is preserved just inside the tower, which was the placed at the Lombard Street entrance to the old church after the Great Fire of London
, and is decorated with skulls and crossbones.
In the body of the church are many furnishings brought from Lombard Street. Much of the carved woodwork is likely the work of Grinling Gibbons
, and shows traces of his style. The great reredos
is probably his work; it is quite similar to his known work at St Mary Abchurch
. Its dimensions were included in Wren's plans, its carving original 17th-century work, but the paintings are from its renovation in 1870. At the centre of the reredos is a carved, gilded pelican feeding her young from her own flesh (a traditional image of Christ who feeds his followers with himself in Communion). The altar
comes from St Martin's Mission Church (the altar from Lombard Street now stands in St Martin's Chapel at the south end of the narthex). Behind the choir stalls, which flank the chancel
, are two wrought-iron sword rests for the ceremonial sword of the Lord Mayor of London
. The large wooden, carved, chalice
-shaped pulpit with large sounding board was also brought from Lombard Street. The most famous regular preacher to have occupied it was John Wesley
, who is recorded as preaching from it on 28 December 1789, and it is known to be where he preached his first extempore sermon. The pew
s date from 1870, when the church in Lombard Street was refurbished. The baptismal font
at the west doors of the basilica comes from St Benet Gracechurch. Its marble base is decorated with carvings of cherub
s, and its tall wooden cover is topped by the figure of Charity welcoming children. The church has an organ
built by Renatus Harris
in 1695, which is installed in the western gallery, a position it did not occupy in Lombard Street, but in accord to Wren's plans for it. Beneath are the churchwarden
s' box pews, one decorated with a lion, the other with a unicorn, the royal supporters.
Church of England
The Church of England is the officially established Christian church in England and the Mother Church of the worldwide Anglican Communion. The church considers itself within the tradition of Western Christianity and dates its formal establishment principally to the mission to England by St...
in Twickenham
Twickenham
Twickenham is a large suburban town southwest of central London. It is the administrative headquarters of the London Borough of Richmond upon Thames and one of the locally important district centres identified in the London Plan...
, 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 is located prominently on Chertsey Road (A316)
A316 road
The A316, also known in parts as the Great Chertsey Road, is a major road in England, which runs from the A315 at Chiswick to the M3 motorway....
, a major road artery of West London, near Twickenham Stadium
Twickenham Stadium
Twickenham Stadium is a stadium located in Twickenham, in the London Borough of Richmond upon Thames. It is the largest rugby union stadium in the United Kingdom and has recently been enlarged to seat 82,000...
.
The church is the continuation of Christopher Wren
Christopher Wren
Sir Christopher Wren FRS is one of the most highly acclaimed English architects in history.He used to be accorded responsibility for rebuilding 51 churches in the City of London after the Great Fire in 1666, including his masterpiece, St. Paul's Cathedral, on Ludgate Hill, completed in 1710...
's All Hallows Lombard Street
All Hallows Lombard Street
Coordinates: All Hallows Lombard Street was a City church in Langbourn Ward on the corner of Lombard Street and Gracechurch Street, London. Its tower, bells and complete interior fittings are now part of All Hallows Twickenham.-History:...
, in 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...
, which was demolished in 1939 and its stone square tower, bells, stone cloister, and interior fittings and furnishings moved to the new site in Twickenham.
The church is also a continuation of St Martin's Mission Church, which had stood about half a mile to the south since 1914. The site of the former chapel was at the southern end of Whitton Road, beside Heatham House, and is now the location of the local beekeepers' association. St Martin's was a mission of the parish of St Mary the Virgin Twickenham. In 1933, it became a conventional district with its own priest in charge
Priest in charge
A priest in charge or priest-in-charge is a priest in charge of a parish who does not receive the temporalities of the parish. He or she is not legally responsible for the churches and glebe, simply holds a licence rather than freehold and is not appointed by advowson.The appointment of priests in...
, Harold Schofield. The modern parish of All Hallows is founded on St Martin's district, and had Schofield as its first vicar.
The church was designed by Robert Atkinson
Robert Atkinson (architect)
Robert Atkinson, OBE was an English architect primarily working in the Art Deco style.Atkinson was born in Wigton, Cumberland and studied at University College, Nottingham before studying abroad in Paris, Italy and America. He was a talented draughtsman and worked for C.E. Mallows from 1905...
, a modern build based on Wren's original plans for All Hallows Lombard Street. The foundation stone was laid by the Bishop of London
Bishop of London
The Bishop of London is the ordinary of the Church of England Diocese of London in the Province of Canterbury.The diocese covers 458 km² of 17 boroughs of Greater London north of the River Thames and a small part of the County of Surrey...
, Arthur Winnington-Ingram
Arthur Winnington-Ingram
Arthur Foley Winnington-Ingram KCVO PC was Bishop of London from 1901 to 1939.-Early life and career:He was born in Worcestershire, the fourth son of the Revd Edward Winnington-Ingram and of Louisa...
, on 11 July 1939, and the new church was consecrated on 9 November 1940 by his successor Geoffrey Fisher
Geoffrey Fisher
Geoffrey Francis Fisher, Baron Fisher of Lambeth, GCVO, PC was Archbishop of Canterbury from 1945 to 1961.-Background:...
. During its consecration, air-raid precautions were in place and anti-aircraft gun fire could be heard in the distance, leading Bishop Fisher to say, "churches are being destroyed by agencies more unnatural and vile than the Great Fire [which had destroyed All Hallows Lombard Street]".
The main body of the church is a brick-built basilica
Basilica
The Latin word basilica , was originally used to describe a Roman public building, usually located in the forum of a Roman town. Public basilicas began to appear in Hellenistic cities in the 2nd century BC.The term was also applied to buildings used for religious purposes...
with a narthex
Narthex
The narthex of a church is the entrance or lobby area, located at the end of the nave, at the far end from the church's main altar. Traditionally the narthex was a part of the church building, but was not considered part of the church proper...
leading through the cloister to the old tower to the north, and to St Martin's Chapel to the south. The original Wren tower houses a peal of ten bells, including some of those that were originally hung at St Dionis Backchurch
St Dionis Backchurch
St Dionis Backchurch was a parish church in the Langbourn ward of the City of London.-History:The church of St Dionis was dedicated to Dionysus the Areopagite, a follower of St Paul, said to have converted the French to Christianity. He became the patron saint of France, where he is known as St Denis...
, then at Lombard Street, before coming to Twickenham. A massive oak gateway is preserved just inside the tower, which was the placed at the Lombard Street entrance to the old church after the Great Fire of London
Great Fire of London
The Great Fire of London was a major conflagration that swept through the central parts of the English city of London, from Sunday, 2 September to Wednesday, 5 September 1666. The fire gutted the medieval City of London inside the old Roman City Wall...
, and is decorated with skulls and crossbones.
In the body of the church are many furnishings brought from Lombard Street. Much of the carved woodwork is likely the work of Grinling Gibbons
Grinling Gibbons
Grinling Gibbons was an English sculptor and wood carver known for his work in England, including St Paul's Cathedral, Blenheim Palace and Hampton Court Palace. He was born and educated in Holland where his father was a merchant...
, and shows traces of his style. The great reredos
Reredos
thumb|300px|right|An altar and reredos from [[St. Josaphat's Roman Catholic Church|St. Josaphat Catholic Church]] in [[Detroit]], [[Michigan]]. This would be called a [[retable]] in many other languages and countries....
is probably his work; it is quite similar to his known work at St Mary Abchurch
St Mary Abchurch
St Mary Abchurch is a Church of England church on Cannon Street in the City of London. Dedicated to the Blessed Virgin Mary, it is first mentioned in 1198-99.-History:The church dates back to the twelfth century...
. Its dimensions were included in Wren's plans, its carving original 17th-century work, but the paintings are from its renovation in 1870. At the centre of the reredos is a carved, gilded pelican feeding her young from her own flesh (a traditional image of Christ who feeds his followers with himself in Communion). The altar
Altar
An altar is any structure upon which offerings such as sacrifices are made for religious purposes. Altars are usually found at shrines, and they can be located in temples, churches and other places of worship...
comes from St Martin's Mission Church (the altar from Lombard Street now stands in St Martin's Chapel at the south end of the narthex). Behind the choir stalls, which flank the 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...
, are two wrought-iron sword rests for the ceremonial sword of the Lord Mayor of London
Lord Mayor of London
The Right Honourable Lord Mayor of London is the legal title for the Mayor of the City of London Corporation. The Lord Mayor of London is to be distinguished from the Mayor of London; the former is an officer only of the City of London, while the Mayor of London is the Mayor of Greater London and...
. The large wooden, carved, chalice
Holy Chalice
In Christian tradition the Holy Chalice is the vessel which Jesus used at the Last Supper to serve the wine.The Gospel of Matthew says:...
-shaped pulpit with large sounding board was also brought from Lombard Street. The most famous regular preacher to have occupied it was John Wesley
John Wesley
John Wesley was a Church of England cleric and Christian theologian. Wesley is largely credited, along with his brother Charles Wesley, as founding the Methodist movement which began when he took to open-air preaching in a similar manner to George Whitefield...
, who is recorded as preaching from it on 28 December 1789, and it is known to be where he preached his first extempore sermon. The pew
Pew
A pew is a long bench seat or enclosed box used for seating members of a congregation or choir in a church, or sometimes in a courtroom.-Overview:Churches were not commonly furnished with permanent pews before the Protestant Reformation...
s date from 1870, when the church in Lombard Street was refurbished. The baptismal font
Baptismal font
A baptismal font is an article of church furniture or a fixture used for the baptism of children and adults.-Aspersion and affusion fonts:...
at the west doors of the basilica comes from St Benet Gracechurch. Its marble base is decorated with carvings of cherub
Cherub
A cherub is a type of spiritual being mentioned in the Hebrew Bible and cited later on in the Christian biblical canons, usually associated with the presence of God...
s, and its tall wooden cover is topped by the figure of Charity welcoming children. The church has an organ
Organ (music)
The organ , is a keyboard instrument of one or more divisions, each played with its own keyboard operated either with the hands or with the feet. The organ is a relatively old musical instrument in the Western musical tradition, dating from the time of Ctesibius of Alexandria who is credited with...
built by Renatus Harris
Renatus Harris
Renatus Harris was a master organ maker in England in the late seventeenth and early eighteenth centuries.During the period of the Commonwealth, in the mid seventeenth century, Puritans controlled the country and organ music was banned in churches. Many organ makers left England for the continent,...
in 1695, which is installed in the western gallery, a position it did not occupy in Lombard Street, but in accord to Wren's plans for it. Beneath are the churchwarden
Churchwarden
A churchwarden is a lay official in a parish church or congregation of the Anglican Communion, usually working as a part-time volunteer. Holders of these positions are ex officio members of the parish board, usually called a vestry, parish council, parochial church council, or in the case of a...
s' box pews, one decorated with a lion, the other with a unicorn, the royal supporters.