1859 - 1921
The first
The 1877 a member of that church
wrote to the Superintendent of the Richmond Circuit saying that he would like
to further the work of Methodism in Teddington by contributing a quarter of the
cost of a new building. His offer was made on condition that the work be
carried out within two years. The Foundation Stone was laid on 1 October 1878,
with the new building being opened on 1 July 1879.
The new church was a very
imposing edifice, typical of Methodist chapels built around that time, many examples
of which can still be seen throughout the country to this day. A picture of our
chapel can be seen in the main church hall. It was situated at the junction of
Hampton and Stanley Roads. The Chapel, as it was known until Methodist Union in
1932, was approached through a pair of wrought iron gates, onto a paved path
leading to a flight of steps, which in turn led to the Chapel entrance.
The Victorian church
Having negotiated the gates and
the path, and having climbed a rather steep flight of steps, one would reach
the vestibule, where the Steward would hand out hymnbooks. There was now a
choice of entry, left or right: there was no centre aisle. Pews were arranged
so that a row was located on each side and in a centre block. As in many
churches and cathedrals, there was a very high, vaulted ceiling.
At the front of the Chapel, were
three large arched windows, which were very impressive. Round each one, the
Beatitudes were very beautifully scripted, and on the wall between, were
various Texts. It is said that in 1892, when a Rev James Walker came to
Teddington, his wife asked for permission to do this work as the walls looked
so bare. She was apparently a very talented artist.
Below the Chapel was a large
hall, known as the Lower School Hall, so called because all Sunday School work
was carried out there until 1914, when
In 1916, the Rev GR Forde came to
Teddington. He had been a missionary in the
Prior to 1922 there was a central
organ in the chapel and against the wall at either side was an oak screen. In
front of the screen was a rostrum from which the Minister would preach. Against
the outside wall on either side were the choir pews.
1922 - 2004
Interior of church, pre 1922
In 1922, extensive renovations
were carried out to the chapel. The side screens were removed, as was the
rostrum. The organ was moved to the left and the choir pews on the right went.
A high oak pulpit was placed on the right, by the Vestry door, and an oak panel
was placed behind the Communion table.
The organ was pumped by hand
until 1930, when an electric blower was installed. In the same year a
replacement Communion Table was presented by Mr & Mrs E A Birch,
grandparents of Gwen Bradley, a local preacher at the church who died in 2002.
In 1930, Rev Frank Hart arrived
at Teddington. A friend of Mahatma Gandhi, he would tell some wonderful stories
about his service in
In 1939, just before war broke
out, church membership stood at 145, and the Sunday School had 160 “scholars”
and 40 teachers.
In August 1944, the church was
demolished by a flying bomb (saving the Hospital in so doing) and the church
was forced to commence worshipping in the Memorial Hall in Church House,
The bombed church, August 1944
By 1952, work on the re-building
of the church in its present location had commenced. The foundation stone was
laid on 6 October 1951 and the Church re-opened on 25 October 1952. From that
time until 2003, very few changes were made to the structure of the Church, as
can be seen from the photographs of the 1952 re-opening displayed in the main
hall. The Youth Hall was added and subsequently, in 1976, the main hall.
Over the years, amplification and
a loop system were added, the organ replaced, and a clavinova purchased to
accompany some hymns and songs. Banners brightened the chancel and Drama by the
church drama group was introduced into some services.
In July 2003, services moved
temporarily into the Church Hall to enable the pews to be removed and work on
the present renovation to be commenced. Services returned to the church at the
beginning of February 2004 even though some work still needed to be completed.
Methodism has now existed in Teddington for nearly 150 years. The premises have experienced many changes over the years to enable us to continue serving the local community and as a church we continue to thrive. With the present phase of the building work now completed, enabling the worship area to become a multi-purpose space during the week, it is not our intention to rest on our laurels.
By the end of 2008 we had refurbished both kitchens and the meeting room, and created a quiet room in the office previously occupied by Teddington & Hampton Wick Voluntary Care Group, who had moved to a room made available at the other end of our complex.
The church hosts activities for over 1,000 adults and children during an average week and we hope to continue giving a warm welcome to those visiting us from the local area in the future, truly justifying our recently adopted title of: