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[[File:St Mary at Finchley - geograph.org.uk - 212610.jpg|thumbnail|St Mary-at-Finchley]]
{{Infobox church
'''St Mary-at-Finchley Church''' is the [[Church of England]] parish church for [[Finchley]].<ref>[http://stmaryatfinchley.org.uk/ Welcome to the Parish Church of St Mary-at-Finchley.] St Mary-at-Finchley Church. Retrieved 14 August 2015.</ref>
| name = St Mary-at-Finchley
| fullname =
| color =
| image = St Mary at Finchley - geograph.org.uk - 212610.jpg
| imagesize =
| caption = St Mary-at-Finchley
| landscape =
| denomination = [[Church of England]]
| province = [[Province of Canterbury|Canterbury]]
| diocese = [[Diocese of London|London]]
| archdeaconry = Hampstead
| deanery = Barnet
| episcopalarea = Edmonton
| parish = Finchley
| division =
| subdivision =
| founded_date =
| founder =
| heritage designation = Grade II*
| architect =
| style = [[English Gothic architecture|English Gothic]]
| constructed_date =
| dedicated_date =
| closed_date =
| demolished_date =
| bishop =
| priest =
| archdeacon =
| dean =
| provost =
| rector = Philip Davison
| curate = Francesco Aresco
| warden = Smita Bora<br />Nick Upton
| flowerguild =
| director = Alison Fisher
| parishadmin =
| canon =
| prebendary =
| chaplain =
| vicar =
| deacon =
| abbot =
| minister =
| seniorpastor =
| pastor =
| address =
| country = [[United Kingdom]]
| phone =
| coordinates =
| website = {{URL|http://stmaryatfinchley.org.uk/}}
}}
'''St Mary-at-Finchley Church''' is the [[Church of England]] parish church for [[Finchley]].<ref>[http://stmaryatfinchley.org.uk/ Welcome to the Parish Church of St Mary-at-Finchley.] St Mary-at-Finchley Church. Retrieved 14 August 2015.</ref> It is located in Hendon Lane, in the town centre, near Finchley Library.


==History==
==History==
[[File:St Mary at Finchley - geograph.org.uk - 212616.jpg|thumb|left|Interior of St Mary-at-Finchley]]
The church is Finchley’s oldest<ref>http://collage.cityoflondon.gov.uk/collage/app?service=media&sp=30744&sp=2&sp=2 church</ref> and was established sometime in the 12th century, early documents mention it from the 1270s, and by 1356 it was dedicated to St Mary. The building has been altered many times since its foundation and the oldest parts, the north wall and the tower (which seems to have had a steeple during the 16th and 17th century), date from the reign of King Henry VII.
The church was established sometime in the 12th century. There is reference to a church here in 1274, and evidence of a building even before then. By 1356, it was dedicated to St Mary.<ref name="London">{{cite book|author1=[[Ben Weinreb|Weinreb, Ben]] |author2=[[Christopher Hibbert|Hibbert, Christopher]] |title=[[The London Encyclopaedia]]|page=758|edition=reprint|year=1992|publisher=[[Macmillan Publishers|Macmillan]]}} Consulted 3 September 2016.</ref> The building has been altered many times since its foundation and the oldest parts, the north wall and the tower (which seems to have had a steeple during the 16th and 17th centuries), date from the reign of King [[Henry VII of England|Henry VII]].


There is an [[ambry]], now in the north wall, and a [[Baptismal font|font bowl]], rescued in the 19th century from the rectory grounds, having been buried there during the [[English Civil War]]. They are both [[Norman architecture|Norman]].<ref name="London"/><ref name="church">{{cite web|url=http://stmaryatfinchley.org.uk/about/history/|title=St Mary-at-Finchley - History|publisher=Official website|accessdate=3 September 2016}}</ref>
In 1872 the church was enlarged. Bombing in 1940 led to the substantial rebuilding of the church in 1953. The oldest monument is a brass plate to Richard Prate (d. 1487), and there is a marble effigy of Alexander King (d. 1618) and his wife. In the churchyard are the graves of [[Thomas Payne]], the radical and bookseller, and Major [[John Cartwright (political reformer)|John Cartwright]], the political reformer.

In 1872, the church was enlarged. In 1878, [[Henry Willis & Sons]] provided the church with its current [[Pipe organ|organ]].<ref name="church"/>

Bombing during the [[London Blitz]] of 1940 led to the substantial rebuilding of the church in 1953. The east end was largely destroyed and the [[stained glass]] had to be replaced. Caroe and Partners provided a new [[altar]], [[reredos]], parclose screen and [[pulpit]]. The organ was in a poor state after the bombing and moved to the west end. Major restoration work to the organ was completed in 2011.<ref name="church"/>

The church has been a [[Listed building|grade II* listed building]] since 1949.<ref>{{National Heritage List for England |num=1287095 |desc=Parish Church Of St Mary |accessdate=2 September 2016}}</ref>

To commemorate the current millennium, in 2000 a special wall hanging was made which now hangs in the church. It depicts all the various groups involved in the life of St Mary-at-Finchley at the end of the twentieth century. There is a key to the symbols on the wall beside the hanging.<ref name="church"/>

==Monuments and burials==
The oldest monument is a brass plate to Richard Prate (d. 1487), and there is a marble effigy of Alexander King (d. 1618) and his wife. Another brass, of Thomas Sanny, dated 1509, unusually reproduces part of his will. Other notable monuments include those of the Allen family, owners of Finchley's Manor House.<ref name="London"/>

In the churchyard are the graves of [[Thomas Payne]], the radical and bookseller, and Major [[John Cartwright (political reformer)|John Cartwright]], the political reformer.

==Church rectors==
{{Incomplete list|date=February 2024}}
* 1527–1533† Walter Preston<ref>{{acad|id=PRSN511W|name=Preston, Walter}}</ref>
* 1535–1554 John Spendlove <small>(deprived)</small><ref name="Spendlove">{{acad|id=SPNV537J|name=Spendlove, John}}</ref>
* 1558–1581† John Spendlove <small>(restored)</small><ref name="Spendlove"/>
* 1581–1599 [[William Cotton (bishop)|William Cotton]] <small>(as Archdeacon of Lewes)</small><ref>{{acad|id=CTN568W|name=Cotton, William}}</ref>
* 1599–1601† [[Richard Latewar]]
* 1601–1608 [[John Bancroft (bishop)|John Bancroft]]<ref>{{alox1|title=Bancroft, John}}</ref>
* 1608–1615 [[John Barkham (antiquary)|John Barkham]]<ref>{{acad|id=BRKN622J|name=Barkham, John}}</ref>
* 1622–1626 Francis Wright<ref>{{acad|id=WRT616F|name=Wright, Francis}}</ref>
* 1626–1639† Thomas Worrall<ref>{{acad|id=WRL624T|name=Worrall, Thomas}}</ref>
* 1657–1662 Thomas Goldstone <small>(ejected 1662)</small><ref>{{acad|id=GLDN646T|name=Goldstone, Thomas}}</ref>
* 1666–1707† John Hall<ref>{{acad|id=HL652J|name=Hall, John}}</ref>
* 1707–1730† Nathaniel Marshall<ref>{{acad|id=MRSL696N|name=Marshall, Nathaniel}}</ref>
* 1731–1743† William Crowe<ref>{{acad|id=CRW710W|name=Crowe, William}}</ref>
* 1743–1767† Thomas Archer<ref>{{acad|id=ARCR729T|name=Archer, Thomas}}</ref>
* 1767–1770 James Waller<ref>{{acad|id=WLR757J|name=Waller, James}}</ref>
* 1770–1794† Samuel Carr<ref>{{acad|id=CR753S|name=Carr, Samuel}}</ref>
* 1794–1848† Ralph Worsley<ref>{{acad|id=WRSY784R|name=Worsley, Ralph}}</ref>
* 1848–1877† Thomas Reader White<ref>{{acad|id=WHT826TR|name=White, Thomas Reader}}</ref>
* 1900–1924 William St Hill Bourne<ref>{{cite web|website=The Canterbury Dictionary of Hymnology|title=William St Hill Bourne|url=https://hymnology.hymnsam.co.uk/enwiki/w/william-st-hill-bourne|access-date=16 February 2024}}</ref>
* 1924–1941 Stewart Bernays
* 2008– Philip Davison<ref>{{cite web|website=St Mary's C.E. Primary School, Finchley|title=Governors|url=https://www.stmarysfinchley.co.uk/governors/|access-date=28 February 2024}}</ref>

† ''Rector died in post''


==See also==
==See also==
Line 14: Line 106:


== External links ==
== External links ==
{{commons category inline|St Mary Finchley}}
{{commons category-inline|St Mary Finchley}}
{{church-stub}}
{{Churches in Barnet}}
{{Churches in Barnet}}


{{coord|51.5996|N|0.1975|W|source:wikidata|display=title}}
{{coord|51.5996|N|0.1975|W|source:wikidata|display=title}}


{{DEFAULTSORT:Finchley, Saint Mary}}
[[Category:Church of England churches]]
[[Category:Churches in Barnet]]
[[Category:Church of England church buildings in the London Borough of Barnet]]
[[Category:Finchley]]
[[Category:Diocese of London]]
[[Category:Finchley|Saint Mary]]
[[Category:12th-century church buildings in England]]
[[Category:Churches bombed by the Luftwaffe in London]]
[[Category:Grade II* listed buildings in the London Borough of Barnet]]
[[Category:Grade II* listed churches in London]]
[[Category:History of the London Borough of Barnet]]

Latest revision as of 16:23, 16 October 2024

St Mary-at-Finchley
St Mary-at-Finchley
Map
CountryUnited Kingdom
DenominationChurch of England
Websitestmaryatfinchley.org.uk
Architecture
Heritage designationGrade II*
StyleEnglish Gothic
Administration
ProvinceCanterbury
DioceseLondon
Episcopal areaEdmonton
ArchdeaconryHampstead
DeaneryBarnet
ParishFinchley
Clergy
RectorPhilip Davison
Curate(s)Francesco Aresco
Laity
Director of musicAlison Fisher
Churchwarden(s)Smita Bora
Nick Upton

St Mary-at-Finchley Church is the Church of England parish church for Finchley.[1] It is located in Hendon Lane, in the town centre, near Finchley Library.

History

[edit]
Interior of St Mary-at-Finchley

The church was established sometime in the 12th century. There is reference to a church here in 1274, and evidence of a building even before then. By 1356, it was dedicated to St Mary.[2] The building has been altered many times since its foundation and the oldest parts, the north wall and the tower (which seems to have had a steeple during the 16th and 17th centuries), date from the reign of King Henry VII.

There is an ambry, now in the north wall, and a font bowl, rescued in the 19th century from the rectory grounds, having been buried there during the English Civil War. They are both Norman.[2][3]

In 1872, the church was enlarged. In 1878, Henry Willis & Sons provided the church with its current organ.[3]

Bombing during the London Blitz of 1940 led to the substantial rebuilding of the church in 1953. The east end was largely destroyed and the stained glass had to be replaced. Caroe and Partners provided a new altar, reredos, parclose screen and pulpit. The organ was in a poor state after the bombing and moved to the west end. Major restoration work to the organ was completed in 2011.[3]

The church has been a grade II* listed building since 1949.[4]

To commemorate the current millennium, in 2000 a special wall hanging was made which now hangs in the church. It depicts all the various groups involved in the life of St Mary-at-Finchley at the end of the twentieth century. There is a key to the symbols on the wall beside the hanging.[3]

Monuments and burials

[edit]

The oldest monument is a brass plate to Richard Prate (d. 1487), and there is a marble effigy of Alexander King (d. 1618) and his wife. Another brass, of Thomas Sanny, dated 1509, unusually reproduces part of his will. Other notable monuments include those of the Allen family, owners of Finchley's Manor House.[2]

In the churchyard are the graves of Thomas Payne, the radical and bookseller, and Major John Cartwright, the political reformer.

Church rectors

[edit]
  • 1527–1533† Walter Preston[5]
  • 1535–1554 John Spendlove (deprived)[6]
  • 1558–1581† John Spendlove (restored)[6]
  • 1581–1599 William Cotton (as Archdeacon of Lewes)[7]
  • 1599–1601† Richard Latewar
  • 1601–1608 John Bancroft[8]
  • 1608–1615 John Barkham[9]
  • 1622–1626 Francis Wright[10]
  • 1626–1639† Thomas Worrall[11]
  • 1657–1662 Thomas Goldstone (ejected 1662)[12]
  • 1666–1707† John Hall[13]
  • 1707–1730† Nathaniel Marshall[14]
  • 1731–1743† William Crowe[15]
  • 1743–1767† Thomas Archer[16]
  • 1767–1770 James Waller[17]
  • 1770–1794† Samuel Carr[18]
  • 1794–1848† Ralph Worsley[19]
  • 1848–1877† Thomas Reader White[20]
  • 1900–1924 William St Hill Bourne[21]
  • 1924–1941 Stewart Bernays
  • 2008– Philip Davison[22]

† Rector died in post

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ Welcome to the Parish Church of St Mary-at-Finchley. St Mary-at-Finchley Church. Retrieved 14 August 2015.
  2. ^ a b c Weinreb, Ben; Hibbert, Christopher (1992). The London Encyclopaedia (reprint ed.). Macmillan. p. 758. Consulted 3 September 2016.
  3. ^ a b c d "St Mary-at-Finchley - History". Official website. Retrieved 3 September 2016.
  4. ^ Historic England. "Parish Church Of St Mary (1287095)". National Heritage List for England. Retrieved 2 September 2016.
  5. ^ "Preston, Walter (PRSN511W)". A Cambridge Alumni Database. University of Cambridge.
  6. ^ a b "Spendlove, John (SPNV537J)". A Cambridge Alumni Database. University of Cambridge.
  7. ^ "Cotton, William (CTN568W)". A Cambridge Alumni Database. University of Cambridge.
  8. ^ Foster, Joseph (1888–1892). "Bancroft, John" . Alumni Oxonienses: the Members of the University of Oxford, 1500–1714. Oxford: Parker and Co – via Wikisource.
  9. ^ "Barkham, John (BRKN622J)". A Cambridge Alumni Database. University of Cambridge.
  10. ^ "Wright, Francis (WRT616F)". A Cambridge Alumni Database. University of Cambridge.
  11. ^ "Worrall, Thomas (WRL624T)". A Cambridge Alumni Database. University of Cambridge.
  12. ^ "Goldstone, Thomas (GLDN646T)". A Cambridge Alumni Database. University of Cambridge.
  13. ^ "Hall, John (HL652J)". A Cambridge Alumni Database. University of Cambridge.
  14. ^ "Marshall, Nathaniel (MRSL696N)". A Cambridge Alumni Database. University of Cambridge.
  15. ^ "Crowe, William (CRW710W)". A Cambridge Alumni Database. University of Cambridge.
  16. ^ "Archer, Thomas (ARCR729T)". A Cambridge Alumni Database. University of Cambridge.
  17. ^ "Waller, James (WLR757J)". A Cambridge Alumni Database. University of Cambridge.
  18. ^ "Carr, Samuel (CR753S)". A Cambridge Alumni Database. University of Cambridge.
  19. ^ "Worsley, Ralph (WRSY784R)". A Cambridge Alumni Database. University of Cambridge.
  20. ^ "White, Thomas Reader (WHT826TR)". A Cambridge Alumni Database. University of Cambridge.
  21. ^ "William St Hill Bourne". The Canterbury Dictionary of Hymnology. Retrieved 16 February 2024.
  22. ^ "Governors". St Mary's C.E. Primary School, Finchley. Retrieved 28 February 2024.
[edit]

Media related to St Mary Finchley at Wikimedia Commons

51°35′59″N 0°11′51″W / 51.5996°N 0.1975°W / 51.5996; -0.1975

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