Church of St. Mary, Battersea

Church of St. Mary, Battersea is a historic Anglican parish church located in the London Borough of Wandsworth. Situated on the south bank of the River Thames, opposite the Chelsea reach, its prominent riverside setting and distinctive spire have made it a notable landmark. The present building, largely constructed in the late 18th century, stands on a site of Christian worship dating back to the Norman era and is renowned for its Gothic Revival interior and associations with notable historical figures.

History

The first recorded church on the site was mentioned in the Domesday Book of 1086, held by Westminster Abbey. The medieval structure was rebuilt in the 14th century before falling into serious disrepair. The foundation stone for the current church was laid in 1775, with construction completed in 1777 under the direction of architect Joseph Dixon. The building was consecrated by Robert Lowth, the Bishop of London. Significant restoration and reordering occurred in the 19th century, notably under the influential vicar John Erskine Clarke, who introduced Anglo-Catholic practices. The church survived the Second World War, though it suffered damage from a V-1 flying bomb in 1944, necessitating post-war repairs. It was designated a Grade II* listed building in 1950 for its special architectural and historic interest.

Architecture

The exterior is a fine example of late Georgian church design, built from Portland stone with a distinctive battlemented parapet and a three-stage spire. The interior, however, is a dramatic and celebrated example of the Gothic Revival style, completely transforming the original classical space. This reordering was masterminded in the 1880s by the architect George Edmund Street, a leading figure of the Victorian Gothic Revival. Notable features include a spectacular hammerbeam roof, a richly decorated chancel and sanctuary, and a magnificent reredos depicting the Last Supper. The church contains important stained glass windows by the renowned firms of Clayton and Bell and Charles Eamer Kempe.

Churchyard and memorials

The churchyard, now a public garden, contains numerous historic monuments and is the burial place of several significant individuals. The most famous grave is that of the painter J. M. W. Turner, who was interred here in 1851; his tomb is located near the east end of the church. Other notable burials include Benedict Arnold, the American Revolutionary War general, and members of the Huskisson family. The churchyard also features memorials to victims of local disasters, including the Battersea Bridge accident of 1845. Many headstones display fine examples of Georgian and Victorian funerary art.

Cultural associations

The church has strong connections to the arts, most famously through its association with the family of the poet William Blake, who was married here to Catherine Boucher in 1782. The church's registers record their signatures. The composer Gustav Holst served as the church organist for a period in the late 19th century. Its atmospheric interior and churchyard have featured in several films and television productions, including adaptations of works by Charles Dickens. The church continues to be an active cultural venue, hosting concerts, art exhibitions, and literary events that engage with the local community in Battersea.

List of vicars

A partial list of vicars since the rebuilding of the church includes: * 1777–1793: John Gardner * 1793–1822: John Bown * 1822–1847: John B. Owen * 1847–1886: John Erskine Clarke * 1886–1915: Henry James Palmer * 1915–1933: Charles William Bardsley * 1933–1955: John Charles Gethyn Jones * 1955–1974: John Arthur D. H. Black * 1974–1990: Peter John Geldart * 1990–2008: John Christopher L. A. Scott * 2008–2017: Andrew John C. Studdert-Kennedy * 2018–present: Simon Brandes

Category:Churches in the London Borough of Wandsworth Category:Grade II* listed churches in London Category:Church of England church buildings in the Diocese of Southwark