All Souls, St Margarets, is a Church of England church on Northcote Road in St Margarets in the London Borough of Richmond upon Thames. Its vicar is Joe Sellers.
History of the Church and its building
The roots of the church
The roots of the church are quite unknown. In 1867 a small private congregation met in an unidentified cottage on an area known as the Railshead, which got its name from the large mansion, like many in the area which graced the riverbank. However, the suburbs were expanding, especially in St Margarets, with its ever growing number of roads and estates, and with that would come more members of the church. Before the railway station brought more people to this part of London, Twickenham was a pretty place with an abundance of Palladian and 18th-century villas, lining the Thames, which became known as 'The Arcadia'. However, the 2nd October 1876 (the opening of St Margarets Station) marked the day when the peace and beauty of such a place, would come to a halt. With this there would be more people coming to worship god, and a bigger congregation would form. On 2nd February 1886 an iron chapel on Northcote Road started to be used.
The iron chapel
The iron room, as identified on the 1886 OS map, was used for worship from February 6th 1886. It was dedicated to St Margaret, and was located on Northcote Road, on the site of the current newer church hall. It was only intended to be temporary. It was built for £400. Many churches had Iron or Tin tabernacles on the site of what would be the main church. The priest, Rev. W.C. Tuting, preached ‘The dangers of failure and dangers of success ’ (concerning the new church). The chapel continued to be served by All Saints Isleworth until 1889 until the living of All Saints ceased. It was then taken over by the London Diocesian Home Mission. Eventually, the construction of the church begun in 1896.
The new church
Finally, the St Margaret’s area of Twickenham would have a proper place of worship. Plans were drawn up by Edward Monson, an Acton architect. He had already designed St Martin’s Hale Gardens, Acton, and St Alban the Martyr, South Parade, Acton Common. If you look at the façade of St Alban’s church you will notice that it is identical to All Souls’ façade. You will also notice that the nave is exactly the same, but the chancel is much larger, with a side chapel and (former) organ chamber. The chancel in All Souls Church appears unusually small for a church, creating a stubby effect of the church, with only a nave and no side chapels. This is because All Souls Church was never completed. Monson’s plans tell us that he intended the church to be identical with St Alban’s. The Richmond and Twickenham Times, from October 3rd 1896 tell us that the church was intended to have the same layout as St Alban’s. However, it also states that a temporary chancel was going to be constructed, and when enough money had been raised, the church would be completed to Monson’s full plans. The church was built by William Pattinson and sons at a cost of £2,497. The foundation stone was laid by Alfred Earle, Lord Bishop of Marlborough, on October 3rd, 1896. The laying of the foundation stone’s ceremony, commented that day at 3:30 PM. It was a short ceremony, many invitations had been issued, and cordially responded to. During the ceremony, Alfred was presented with a trowel for laying the stone, by Monson, the architect.Marlborough advanced to the stone, tested it with the plummet, tapped it with the mallet, then he declared the following words:
’In the faith of Jesus Christ, we place this corner-stone in the name of God the Father, God the Son, and the Holy Ghost, amen.’
The consecration of the church
References
External links Official website