A silk-thrower or silk-throwster was someone who converted raw silk into silk thread. The Company was formed in 1629 but is now defunct.
There is a reference to an organisation of candle makers in 1300, but the Tallow Chandlers' Company's charters date from 1462, with the grant of arms in 1456. In 1476 the Company purchased the site of its hall, near Cannon Street Station. The original hall was destroyed in the Great Fire, and the present Tallow Chandlers' Hall was built in 1672.
This Company is also known as the Wire Workers' Company, and there is evidence that these two separate crafts were joined by 1425. Although the Company did not receive a charter until 1670, the two crafts had previously sought protection from the Girdlers' and Ironmongers' Companies.
The Vintners', one of the "Great Twelve" livery companies of the City of London. The Company received its formal charter of incorporation in 1437, but the Vintners' as a group of traders had received charters from 1363. The Company's charters have been retained by the Clerk, although the Manuscripts Section has copies of many of them.The Company had a hall in Upper Thames Street in the City of London from at least 1446, which was destroyed in the Great Fire, but rebuilt betweeen 1667 and 1676.
By his will dated 1446, Guy Shuldham bequeathed 13 buildings and land to the Vintners' Company to be converted into almshouses. The almshouses were destroyed in the Great Fire and were replaced by 12 almshouses in Mile End. A bequest by Benjamin Kenton (d. 1802) paid for the almshouses to be pulled down and rebuilt. The almshouses were damaged by bombing in the Second World War and were replaced by new almshouses built at the "Vintry", Nutley, Surrey in 1957-1960.
There is evidence that the City of London Corporation passed regulations in 1370 governing watermen. In 1585 a grant of arms was made to the Company. The lightermen, who had formerly been members of the Woodmongers' Company, were amalgamated with the watermen in 1700. Watermen were boatmen or licensed wherry-men who were available for hire on the river Thames. Lightermen owned and operated lighters, flat-bottomed barges which were used in 'lightening' or unloading ships that could not be unloaded at a wharf, and also used for transporting goods of any kind.
Almshouses at Penge in Kent were built in 1840-1 on land presented to the Watermen and Lightermen's Company by John Dudin Brown. The almshouses could accommodate sixty residents (retired freemen of the Company). They were closed in 1973. Almshouses at Ditchling in Sussex were founded in 1888 through the gift of William Vokins, a master lighterman.
There is evidence of a body of Wax Chandlers in 1330 when it collected money as a gift for the king. In 1348 four men were appointed to investigate the quality of wares, and in 1353 ordinances were entered into the Corporation's Letter Book G (held with the City of London Corporation's own records; also transcribed in Ms 9495). Their first charter was granted in 1484 and the grant of arms was made in 1485 and confirmed with supporters in 1530. The Company's operative charter was granted by Charles II in 1663 and, although it was lost during 'quo warranto' proceedings, a contemporary transcript survives in Ms 9498.
The Company is the oldest chartered livery company in the City of London, receiving its charter from King Henry II in ca. 1155-8 (Guildhall Library Ms 4621). It had control of weaving in the City of London, as well as Westminster and Southwark. The Company had a hall in Basinghall Street, in the parish of St Michael Bassishaw, until its demolition in the mid-19th century. The Company also held other properties in the City of London, as well as estates in Billericay and Shenfield in Essex.
Almshouses: William Watson (d. 1673) gave £200 towards the building of almshouses in Shoreditch. The almshouses (with 12 rooms) were opened in 1670. Richard Garrett of Wandsworth bequeathed £1,000 East India stock for the building of six almshouses at Elder Street, Porter's Fields for poor members of the Weavers' Company. In 1851 these almshouses were sold and new ones were erected at Wanstead. They comprised 24 dwellings (12 for men and 12 for women) and were ready for occupation in 1859.
The company was granted its charter in 1670 and its livery in 1773. By the late 18th century its control over the trade had ceased, but from 1882 onwards the company has been a firm supporter of general technical education, through grants and classes.
The City of London was divided into wards for the purpose of government as early as Norman times. The wards had responsibility to keep the peace, supervise trade and oversee sanitation, and each ward has the right to elect an Alderman and Commoners to sit in the Court of Common Council.
One of the twenty-six wards of the City of London, constituting the area to the north of the River Thames (Bridge Without Ward was in Southwark to the south of the River), between Billingsgate Ward in the east and Dowgate Ward in the west. The ward was associated with the area around London Bridge from a very early period.
The City of London was divided into wards for the purpose of government as early as Norman times. The wards had responsibility to keep the peace, supervise trade and oversee sanitation, and each ward has the right to elect an Alderman and Commoners to sit in the Court of Common Council.
One of twenty-six wards of the City of London, bounded on the north by Bassishaw Ward, on the south by Cordwainer Ward, on the west by Cripplegate Ward and on the east by Coleman Street Ward. The ward contained seven City parish churches: St Lawrence Jewry; St Pancras Soper Lane; St Benet Sherehog; St Mildred Poultry; St Martin Pomeroy; St Mary Colechurch; and All Hallows, Honey Lane.
The City of London was divided into wards for the purpose of government as early as Norman times. The wards had responsibility to keep the peace, supervise trade and oversee sanitation, and each ward has the right to elect an Alderman and Commoners to sit in the Court of Common Council.
One of the twenty-six wards of the City of London, bounded on the north by Aldgate, Lime Street and Bishopsgate wards, west by Bridge Ward, south by Billingsgate and Tower Wards and east by Aldgate Ward. The ward contained seven City parish churches: All Hallows Lombard Street, St Edmund the King and Martyr, St Dionis Backchurch, St Mary Woolnoth, St Gabriel Fenchurch, All Hallows Staining and St Nicholas Acons.
The City of London was divided into wards for the purpose of government as early as Norman times. The wards had responsibility to keep the peace, supervise trade and oversee sanitation, and each ward has the right to elect an Alderman and Commoners to sit in the Court of Common Council.
One of the twenty-six wards of the City of London, lying between Aldgate and Cornhill wards. It contained no City parish churches after the suppression of St Mary Axe and St Augustine Papey.
The City of London was divided into wards for the purpose of government as early as Norman times. The wards had responsibility to keep the peace, supervise trade and oversee sanitation, and each ward has the right to elect an Alderman and Commoners to sit in the Court of Common Council.
The coronership is an ancient county office concerned originally with pleas of the crown within the county. By 1689 the Coroner's duties had been reduced to the holding of inquests in cases of death under circumstances of suspicion and committing to trial persons against whom verdicts of murder or manslaughter had been returned by the inquest jury. Coroners were also empowered to hold inquests over 'treasure trove' and wrecks.
Under an Act of 1752 (26 Geo II c29) coroners were paid 20/- for every inquisition held and 9d for every mile travelled to view a body. These fees were paid out of the County rates by order of the justices. Coroners returned accounts of inquests held, usually in the form of a list, giving also the mileage travelled and total sum due, which were approved for payment, in Middlesex, by an Accounts Committee. Sometimes inquisitions and witnesses' depositions were returned instead of or in addition to the account.
Coroners were elected by county freeholders (except in certain liberties) and held the office for life. By the Local Government Act 1888 the power to appoint Coroners was transferred to the new County Councils.
Counties were usually divided into districts with a Coroner assigned to each. Sometimes, however, Coroners did act in the district of another Coroner. Coroner's districts changed in size and extent over time, often due to increased population and changes in local government boundaries.
Middlesex: From the 18th century the ancient county of Middlesex was divided into two main Coroner's districts - the Western and the Eastern. There were in addition two liberties having their own Coroner: the City and Liberty of Westminster, and the Liberty of the Duchy of Lancaster.
In 1862 a new district was formed, the Central District, by taking 23 parishes and liberties from the Western District. The Western District was further reduced in size in 1892, losing four parishes to the new County of London, and again in 1915 when six parishes were transferred to the Central District.
This Central District formed in 1862 was greatly reduced in size in 1892 by the transfer of most of its area to the new County of London. The situation was partly reversed in 1915 when it received six parishes from the Western District of Middlesex. The Central District vanished entirely in 1926 when it was amalgamated with the Eastern District of Middlesex.
The Eastern District of Middlesex remained intact until 1888 when it was divided into two separate districts - the South Eastern and the North Eastern Districts. Very shortly afterwards, in 1892, both districts were transferred to the new County of London, apart from the parishes of Wood Green and Tottenham. These were then formed into a new Eastern District of Middlesex which absorbed the Central District in 1926.
The City and Liberty of Westminster was a franchise Coroner's District and remained separate with its own Coroner until 1930, when it was merged with the Central District of the County of London.
The Liberty of the Duchy of Lancaster was likewise a franchise Coroner's District with two parts in Middlesex: the Liberty of the Savoy, and Edmonton with Enfield. In 1889 the Liberty of the Savoy was transferred to the County of London where it joined the Duchy of Lancaster (Clapham) remaining as a franchise district until 1930 when Clapham was merged with the Southern District of the County of London, and the Savoy with Westminster in the Central District. The Edmonton and Enfield part of the Duchy of Lancaster in Middlesex remained separate until 1932 when it was merged with the Eastern District of Middlesex.
For a guide on how to use Coroners' Records and information about access to confidential records please see the hard copy guide in the Information Area or consult a member of staff.
The Greater London Eastern District Coroner's Court was situated on Queen's Road, Walthamstow, E17. The jurisdiction of the court covered the boroughs of Barking, Havering, Newham, Redbridge and Waltham Forest.
The coronership is an ancient county office concerned originally with pleas of the crown within the county. By 1689 the Coroner's duties had been reduced to the holding of inquests in cases of death under circumstances of suspicion and committing to trial persons against whom verdicts of murder or manslaughter had been returned by the inquest jury. Coroners were also empowered to hold inquests over 'treasure trove' and wrecks.
Under an Act of 1752 (26 Geo II c29) coroners were paid 20/- for every inquisition held and 9d for every mile travelled to view a body. These fees were paid out of the County rates by order of the justices. Coroners returned accounts of inquests held, usually in the form of a list, giving also the mileage travelled and total sum due, which were approved for payment, in Middlesex, by an Accounts Committee. Sometimes inquisitions and witnesses' depositions were returned instead of or in addition to the account.
Coroners were elected by county freeholders (except in certain liberties) and held the office for life. By the Local Government Act 1888 the power to appoint Coroners was transferred to the new County Councils.
Counties were usually divided into districts with a Coroner assigned to each. Sometimes, however, Coroners did act in the district of another Coroner. Coroner's districts changed in size and extent over time, often due to increased population and changes in local government boundaries.
For a guide on how to use Coroners' Records and information about access to confidential records please see the hard copy guide in the Information Area or consult a member of staff.
The County of London Northern District Coroner's Office was based at Saint Pancras Coroner's Court, Camley Street, NW1.
The coronership is an ancient county office concerned originally with pleas of the crown within the county. By 1689 the Coroner's duties had been reduced to the holding of inquests in cases of death under circumstances of suspicion and committing to trial persons against whom verdicts of murder or manslaughter had been returned by the inquest jury. Coroners were also empowered to hold inquests over 'treasure trove' and wrecks.
Under an Act of 1752 (26 Geo II c29) coroners were paid 20/- for every inquisition held and 9d for every mile travelled to view a body. These fees were paid out of the County rates by order of the justices. Coroners returned accounts of inquests held, usually in the form of a list, giving also the mileage travelled and total sum due, which were approved for payment, in Middlesex, by an Accounts Committee. Sometimes inquisitions and witnesses' depositions were returned instead of or in addition to the account.
Coroners were elected by county freeholders (except in certain liberties) and held the office for life. By the Local Government Act 1888 the power to appoint Coroners was transferred to the new County Councils.
Counties were usually divided into districts with a Coroner assigned to each. Sometimes, however, Coroners did act in the district of another Coroner. Coroner's districts changed in size and extent over time, often due to increased population and changes in local government boundaries.
London: The County of London was formed in 1889. At first there was no change to the existing Middlesex Coroners Districts now included, in part, within the new County. However, in 1892 the County was finally divided into districts which took in the former Middlesex parishes plus some from the former counties of Surrey and Kent. The new districts were: Eastern; Western; South Western; North Eastern; Central; Southern; Penge; South Eastern; and four franchise districts: Westminster; Duchy of Lancaster (Savoy/Clapham); Tower Liberty and Borough of Southwark.
In 1894 there were minor boundary changes to the Eastern, North Eastern and Central Districts. In 1900 Penge was transferred to Kent. 1912 saw further boundary changes between districts.
In 1930 the districts were reduced to six: Western; Eastern; Southern; Central; Northern; South Eastern; plus Southwark and Tower Liberty. In 1940 this was reduced to five, absorbing the franchise districts: Western; Northern; Eastern; South Western and South Eastern. In 1943 four districts were formed: Western, Southern; Eastern; Northern. These were reduced in 1956 to Western, Northern, Southern.
For a guide on how to use Coroners' Records and information about access to confidential records please see the hard copy guide in the Information Area or consult a member of staff.
The County of London Southern District Coroner's Office was based at Saint George's Churchyard, Borough High Street, SE1.
The coronership is an ancient county office concerned originally with pleas of the crown within the county. By 1689 the Coroner's duties had been reduced to the holding of inquests in cases of death under circumstances of suspicion and committing to trial persons against whom verdicts of murder or manslaughter had been returned by the inquest jury. Coroners were also empowered to hold inquests over 'treasure trove' and wrecks.
Under an Act of 1752 (26 Geo II c29) coroners were paid 20/- for every inquisition held and 9d for every mile travelled to view a body. These fees were paid out of the County rates by order of the justices. Coroners returned accounts of inquests held, usually in the form of a list, giving also the mileage travelled and total sum due, which were approved for payment, in Middlesex, by an Accounts Committee. Sometimes inquisitions and witnesses' depositions were returned instead of or in addition to the account.
Coroners were elected by county freeholders (except in certain liberties) and held the office for life. By the Local Government Act 1888 the power to appoint Coroners was transferred to the new County Councils.
Counties were usually divided into districts with a Coroner assigned to each. Sometimes, however, Coroners did act in the district of another Coroner. Coroner's districts changed in size and extent over time, often due to increased population and changes in local government boundaries.
London: The County of London was formed in 1889. At first there was no change to the existing Middlesex Coroners Districts now included, in part, within the new County. However, in 1892 the County was finally divided into districts which took in the former Middlesex parishes plus some from the former counties of Surrey and Kent. The new districts were: Eastern; Western; South Western; North Eastern; Central; Southern; Penge; South Eastern; and four franchise districts: Westminster; Duchy of Lancaster (Savoy/Clapham); Tower Liberty and Borough of Southwark.
In 1894 there were minor boundary changes to the Eastern, North Eastern and Central Districts. In 1900 Penge was transferred to Kent. 1912 saw further boundary changes between districts.
In 1930 the districts were reduced to six: Western; Eastern; Southern; Central; Northern; South Eastern; plus Southwark and Tower Liberty. In 1940 this was reduced to five, absorbing the franchise districts: Western; Northern; Eastern; South Western and South Eastern. In 1943 four districts were formed: Western, Southern; Eastern; Northern. These were reduced in 1956 to Western, Northern, Southern.
For a guide on how to use Coroners' Records and information about access to confidential records please see the hard copy guide in the Information Area or consult a member of staff.
The County of London South Eastern District Coroner's Office was based at 77 Watson Street, New Cross Road, SE8.
The coronership is an ancient county office concerned originally with pleas of the crown within the county. By 1689 the Coroner's duties had been reduced to the holding of inquests in cases of death under circumstances of suspicion and committing to trial persons against whom verdicts of murder or manslaughter had been returned by the inquest jury. Coroners were also empowered to hold inquests over 'treasure trove' and wrecks.
Under an Act of 1752 (26 Geo II c29) coroners were paid 20/- for every inquisition held and 9d for every mile travelled to view a body. These fees were paid out of the County rates by order of the justices. Coroners returned accounts of inquests held, usually in the form of a list, giving also the mileage travelled and total sum due, which were approved for payment, in Middlesex, by an Accounts Committee. Sometimes inquisitions and witnesses' depositions were returned instead of or in addition to the account.
Coroners were elected by county freeholders (except in certain liberties) and held the office for life. By the Local Government Act 1888 the power to appoint Coroners was transferred to the new County Councils.
Counties were usually divided into districts with a Coroner assigned to each. Sometimes, however, Coroners did act in the district of another Coroner. Coroner's districts changed in size and extent over time, often due to increased population and changes in local government boundaries.
London: The County of London was formed in 1889. At first there was no change to the existing Middlesex Coroners Districts now included, in part, within the new County. However, in 1892 the County was finally divided into districts which took in the former Middlesex parishes plus some from the former counties of Surrey and Kent. The new districts were: Eastern; Western; South Western; North Eastern; Central; Southern; Penge; South Eastern; and four franchise districts: Westminster; Duchy of Lancaster (Savoy/Clapham); Tower Liberty and Borough of Southwark.
In 1894 there were minor boundary changes to the Eastern, North Eastern and Central Districts. In 1900 Penge was transferred to Kent. 1912 saw further boundary changes between districts.
In 1930 the districts were reduced to six: Western; Eastern; Southern; Central; Northern; South Eastern; plus Southwark and Tower Liberty. In 1940 this was reduced to five, absorbing the franchise districts: Western; Northern; Eastern; South Western and South Eastern. In 1943 four districts were formed: Western, Southern; Eastern; Northern. These were reduced in 1956 to Western, Northern, Southern.
For a guide on how to use Coroners' Records and information about access to confidential records please see the hard copy guide in the Information Area or consult a member of staff.
Fulham Bridge was built in 1729 under the terms of Acts of 1726 and 1727. It was administered by its proprietors until 1880 when it was acquired by the Metropolitan Board of Works and freed from tolls. Records of the bridge company, however, continued until 1882.
Services commenced at the Baptist Mission Hall, Pownall Road on 5 November 1885. A temporary iron building was erected in Dawes Road in February 1887 and used until the opening of the permanent building in 1889. Alterations were carried out in July 1977 and the Church was rededicated on 29 October 1977. Further alterations were carried out in 1989.
Oaklands Congregational Church was originally known as Oaklands United Congregational Church and was based at Uxbridge Road, Shepherds Bush. The church was initially a Union Church of Baptists and Congregationalists, including some from Becklow Road Mission. A meeting was held in July 1856 at Oaklands at which it was decided to erect a United Church. The church was formed on 1 January 1858. In 1868 the Baptist members left to establish a new church in Avenue Road. Ten years later in 1878 another group left the original church and began to hold services at Coningham Road School where they were known as Coningham Road Free Church. They opened an iron chapel in Askew Road in September 1885 and renamed themselves Starch Green Congregational Church.
Oaklands United Congregational Church closed and was sold on 30 April 1890 to Starch Green Congregational Church. The Starch Green congregation made alterations to the building and reopened it on 21 September 1890 as Oaklands Congregational Church. The iron chapel in Askew Road remained a mission hall.
The church was renovated during 1903 and again in 1920. The church closed in March 1972 and merged with Askew Road Methodist Church to form Askew Road Church (Methodist/United Reformed). The Uxbridge Road building became derelict and was demolished in March and April 1980.
Oaklands had a strong history of encouraging the social, intellectual and spiritual life of its members through literature and music. Annual Eisteddfods began in 1905.
Wandsworth Circuit was created in 1864 out of the old Hammersmith Circuit. It comprised churches in Putney, Wandsworth High Street and Wandsworth Bridge Road. In 1951 it was renamed the Wandsworth and Fulham circuit and was joined by Methodist churches in Munster Park and Fulham. In 1968 a new church was opened in Roehampton. The circuit closed in 1969 and the constituent churches redistributed to the Hammersmith, Richmond and Hounslow, and Broomwood and Clapham circuits.
The Hammersmith Circuit was constituted in 1969 by the union of Askew Road Church and Old Oak Church, both of which had formerly belonged to the Bayswater Circuit, Munster Park Church from the Wandsworth and Fulham Circuit, and Rivercourt Church and Shepherds Bush Road Church, which had previously formed the Rivercourt and Shepherds Bush Road Circuit.
Services commenced at Baptist Mission Hall, Pownall Road on 5 November 1885. A temporary iron building was erected in Dawes Road in February 1887 and used until the opening of the permanent building in 1889. Alterations were carried out in July 1977 and the Church was rededicated on 29 October 1977. Further alterations were carried out in 1989.
Munster Park Wesleyan Church was founded in 1880. In 1932, following a vote taken at a meeting of the United Methodist Church, it changed its name to Munster Park Methodist Church. For many years it was highly attended, and became a centre of community life in Hammersmith, hosting meetings of the Munster Park Wesley Guild, the Munster Park Cycling Club and the 6th Fulham Girl Guides among others. During the Second World War, the roof of Munster Park Church suffered severe bomb damage, and the congregation was temporarily transferred to the Methodist church at Munster Road. The Munster Park church organ was rescued and rebuilt in the 1950s, when the church re-opened for worship.
As the years progressed, however, the congregation dwindled, and Munster Park Church became too large to serve the Methodist community's needs and too costly to maintain. In the late 1960s, the community took the decision to sell the old church and much of the land, and to convert the existing assembly halls into a new church. The sale was completed in 1971, and the new church opened for worship in 1972. It continued to provide a venue for community groups, and in subsequent decades other local church communities also used the premises for worship. At the same time, the Methodist congregation at Munster Park became involved in an ecumenical project at St. Barnabas Anglican Church in Kensington. The Anglican-Methodist Experiment, as it became known, began in 1966 and was formalised in 1969. In the 1980s, however, the Anglican community was considerably increased by the closure of nearby Anglican churches, while the cost of maintaining St. Barnabas placed a greater strain on Anglican finances. The Methodist community consequently felt under-represented at St. Barnabas, and began to question the feasibility of the Experiment. In 1985, the Anglican and Methodist communities jointly decided to terminate the project.
Munster Park Methodist Church saw a severe decline in attendance throughout the 1980s. The Hammersmith and Fulham Methodist Circuit, taking into account Munster Park's ageing congregation and lack of religious engagement with the local community, decided to close the church, and in 1995 Munster Park's remaining assets were sold.
The Metropolitan Railway opened from Farringdon Street to Bishop's Road (now part of Paddington Station) in 1863. It was extended to Hammersmith by the Hammersmith and City Railway, a separate company backed and operated by the Great Western Railway and the Metropolitan Railway, vested in them jointly in 1867.
The line to Hammersmith opened on 13 June 1864, with stations initially at Hammersmith, Shepherds Bush (Railway Approach) and Notting Hill (now Ladbroke Grove). The station at Hammersmith was moved 150 yards south to its present site in 1868 and was reconstructed in 1908. Shepherds Bush Station, Railway Approach, was replaced by two new stations in 1914, Shepherds Bush (Uxbridge Road) and Goldhawk Road. The Railway Approach site was taken over by Shepherds Bush Market.
The Metropolitan Railway Company was vested in the London Passenger Transport Board in 1933 which took over the management of the passenger service, although the Hammersmith and City Line remained a joint undertaking. Upon nationalization of the railways in 1948 the Hammersmith and City Railway was incorporated in the London Transport Railway System.
The diocese of London was first established in the Roman period, the first known bishop being Bishop Resitiutus who attended a Council in Arles in 314. London reverted to paganism following the Saxon invasions and the diocese was reconstituted in 604 with the first Saint Paul's as its Cathedral. The medieval diocese continued its jurisdiction over the area established in the 7th century: namely the City of London and the ancient counties of Essex and Middlesex and the greater part of Hertfordshire. The diocese lay entirely north of the Thames River.
The area served by the diocese remained unchanged until the 19th century, apart from a short period between 1540, when the diocese of Westminster, founded by Henry VIII, was taken out of the diocese of London (covering Westminster, the county of Middlesex with the exception of Fulham), and 1550 (when the appointed Bishop Thirlby resigned and the bishopric reverted back to London).
The administration of the diocese was originally split into the Archdeaconry of London and Archdeaconry of Middlesex. In 1708 there were 5 churches and chapels subject to the archdeacon of London, 52 subject to the archdeacon of Middlesex, 14 subject to the bishop directly and 4 subject to the Archbishop of Canterbury and outside the jurisdiction of the diocese of London.
The Bishop's highest court was the Consistory Court. The Consistory Court's jurisdiction was diocese-wide. It heard primarily civil suits, but it also dealt with criminal and testamentary matters. The Commissary Court was the Bishop's lower court. Its jurisdiction appears to have been restricted to the City of London, the county of Middlesex and Deanery of Barking in Essex. There was no clear distinction between the jurisdiction of the Consistory and Commissary Court. The latter dealt mostly with criminal cases and probate.
The growth of population in the 19th and 20th centuries demanded rearrangements of the boundaries of the diocese. Up until 1845 the diocese comprised of most parishes in Middlesex (except part of Stanwell which lay in the diocese of Oxford), the City of London parishes (excluding the thirteen parishes in the peculiar of the Arches), a substantial number of parishes in Hertfordshire and four parishes in Buckinghamshire (namely Aston Abbots, Grandborough, Little Horwood, and Winslow).
The abolition of the Peculiar jurisdictions of the Archbishop of Canterbury (the ecclesiastical units within the Middlesex area which were exempt from the administrative control of the diocese) in 1845 added the thirteen parishes in the City of London, some parishes in Middlesex, and those in the Deanery of Croydon in the ancient county of Surrey (Barnes, Mortlake, Newington, Putney, Walworth and Wimbledon). The diocese retained nine Essex parishes (Barking, Chingford, East and West Ham, Little Ilford, Low Leyton, Walthamstow, Wanstead and Woodford). The rest of Essex was temporarily transferred to the see of Rochester and the parishes in Hertfordshire and Buckinghamshire were removed from the diocese. At the same time parishes in the ancient county of Kent (Charlton, Deptford, Eltham, Greenwich, Lee, Lewisham, Plumstead and Woolwich) just south of the Thames were brought into the diocese.
Under the London Diocese Act 1863 and Diocese of Saint Albans Act 1875, provisions were made for the removal of Essex, Kent and Surrey parishes. In 1877 Surrey and Kent parishes were transferred to the diocese of Rochester, and then Surrey parishes to the diocese of Southwark in 1905.
The appointment of Suffragan bishops was also revived in the 19th century with officials holding the titles of Bishop of Stepney, Islington and Kensington. Further reorganisations were designed to link the ecclesiastical boundaries with that of county administration. In 1912 the Archdeaconry of Hampstead was carved out of the Archdeaconry of Middlesex. In 1951 parishes East of the City of London formed the Archdeaconry of Hackney. By 1964 the diocese of London consisted of the archdeaconries of London, Middlesex, Hampstead and Hackney with a total of 28 deaneries and 500 parishes.
In 2001 the diocese was made up of five areas, Edmonton, Kensington, London, Stepney and Willesden, 4 of which had an Area Bishop, to whom the Bishop of London delegated responsibilities. It covered 277 square miles and 17 boroughs of Greater London north of the Thames, from Staines in the West to the Isle of Dogs in the East serving a population of 3.5 million people.
The medieval diocese of Rochester consisted of Kent west of the Medway. It was divided into the rural deaneries of Rochester, Dartford and Malling, which together formed the archdeaconry of Rochester. The rural deanery of Shoreham was a peculiar jurisdiction of the archbishop of Canterbury. The boundaries of the diocese were radically changed in 1845 when the rural deaneries of Dartford, Malling and Shoreham, with the except for a few parishes, were absorbed into the diocese of Canterbury, and the rural deanery of Rochester with a few neighbouring parishes were joined with the counties of Essex and Hertfordshire to form a new diocese of Rochester. There were further boundary alterations in 1877, when Essex and Hertfordshire were formed into the new diocese of St. Albans, and Rochester comprised the north-western part of Kent together with London south of the Thames. In 1905 the London section of the diocese was separated to form a new diocese of Southwark and the boundaries between the diocese of Canterbury and Rochester adjusted so that since that date the diocese has covered roughly the same area as that which it covered in 1845.
The Cathedral Church of Christ and the Blessed Virgin Mary in the Church of England Diocese of Rochester is the second oldest Cathedral Foundation in England and was founded in 604 by Bishop Justus. The present building was built in 1077 by Bishop Gundolf, who also designed the Tower of London and Rochester Castle.
Parishes in east and mid Surrey in the Dioceses of London and Winchester were transferred to Rochester in 1878.
A church in West Drayton first appears in sources in 1181. The present church of Saint Martin is situated in Church Road. It dates largely to the 15th century, with some surviving earlier fragments. The church was restored and refitted in 1850 and again in 1831. A National Day-school was built in 1859. Saint Martin's Church of England Secondary Modern School was built in 1958.
Source of information: A History of the County of Middlesex: Volume 3: Shepperton, Staines, Stanwell, Sunbury, Teddington, Heston and Isleworth, Twickenham, Cowley, Cranford, West Drayton, Greenford, Hanwell, Harefield and Harlington (1962) (available online).
The parish of Hanwell ran alongside the eastern bank of the Brent river. The northern, western and southern borders of the parish were formed by the Brent and Thames rivers, while the eastern border was composed of fields and commons. The parish was 1209 acres in size, with a further 74 acres of detached land to the north-west which belonged to the parish as it was owned by Hanwell Manor. New Brentford was part of Hanwell parish until the eighteenth century, but had a separate chapel. The original parish of Saint Mary was reduced in size between 1908 and 1951, when several new parishes were created: Saint Mellitus, Saint Mark, Saint Thomas and Saint Christopher. The patronage of the parish rested with the Abbot of Westminster, and later the Bishop of London.
The Vestry were responsible for a number of local administrative functions, although they shared poor relief with a local charity. There was no parish workhouse, rather, some small houses were available at low or no rent.
The church of Saint Mary is first mentioned in the 12th century, although it is probably older. The medieval church was demolished in 1781 as it was too small; while its replacement was demolished in 1841 for the same reason. The church was reopened in 1842.
Source of information: A History of the County of Middlesex: Volume 3: Shepperton, Staines, Stanwell, Sunbury, Teddington, Heston and Isleworth, Twickenham, Cowley, Cranford, West Drayton, Greenford, Hanwell, Harefield and Harlington (1962) (available online).
The parish of Pinner was originally a chapelry within the parish of Harrow which was a peculiar of the Archbishop of Canterbury. In 1546 the advowson and tithes passed to Christ Church, Oxford. Pinner was served by the Vicar of Harrow or his curate. During the 17th century benefactions of land established an income for a curate at Pinner. Although Pinner achieved some measure of independence from Harrow by the end of the 17th century, it was not until 1766 after a grant from the Queen Anne's Bounty, that Pinner became an independent parish.
A chapel was in existence at Pinner by 1234-40 and the plan and part of the North East wall of the Church may be 13th century. However, most of the building dates from the early 14th century as the chapel was rebuilt before its consecration in 1321. The tower was added in the 15th century and alterations and repairs were carried out in the 19th and earlier 20th centuries. The renovation of 1880 was carried out by JL Pearson.
Source of information: A History of the County of Middlesex: Volume 4: Harmondsworth, Hayes, Norwood with Southall, Hillingdon with Uxbridge, Ickenham, Northolt, Perivale, Ruislip, Edgware, Harrow with Pinner (1971). Available online.
The parish of Edgware lay on the northern boundary of Middlesex, covering 2,089 acres before 1931. The old parish was bordered on the north by Elstree, on the west by Little Stanmore, and on the east by Hendon. At various times the parish has also included parts of Little Stanmore and Elstree. The church is first mentioned in the mid 13th century, when it was stated to be appropriated to the use of the Knights Hospitallers. From the 14th century the advowson belonged to the owner of the manor of Edgware Boys. The church of Saint Margaret is situated on Station Road near the junction with High Street. The earliest surviving parts of the building date to the 15th century and has been rebuilt several times during its history, in 1763, 1845 and 1908, with enlargements added in 1927.
The parish vestry, first mentioned in 1817, was concerned mainly with poor relief which took the form of allowance payments as there was no workhouse. Able-bodied poor were set to work in gravel pits or on road maintenance.
Source of information: A History of the County of Middlesex: Volume 4: Harmondsworth, Hayes, Norwood with Southall, Hillingdon with Uxbridge, Ickenham, Northolt, Perivale, Ruislip, Edgware, Harrow with Pinner (1971), pp. 151-166. Available online.
St James the Great is the ancient church of Friern Barnet, a parish in north Middlesex about seven miles north of London, bordering Hertfordshire to the north, Finchley to the west, Hornsey to the south, and Edmonton and Tottenham to the south east. Further churches were erected in the late 19th and early 20th centuries to serve the growing population.
St John the Evangelist was built as a chapel of ease in 1891-1902. It was constructed to serve a populous part of the parish and attendance exceeded that at St James the Great before the chapel was even finished.
The church of St Peter le Poer was founded in 1866 as a mission serving Muswell Hill. In 1884 a temporary church was constructed which was used until 1909 when a permament structure was built, funded by money from the sale of the redundant church of St. Peter-le-Poer in the City of London.
Source of information: 'Friern Barnet: Churches', A History of the County of Middlesex: Volume 6: Friern Barnet, Finchley, Hornsey with Highgate (1980), pp. 29-32. Available online.
In 1841 the parish of Great Stanmore was 1,441 acres in size, bounded to the north by Bushey Heath, to the east by the border of Hertfordshire, and to the south and west by Harrow.
A parish clerk was appointed from 1508 while churchwardens were first mentioned in 1580. The Vestry met on average 3 or 4 times a year, usually in the Queen's Head public house but subsequently at the church, workhouse or schoolroom. Parish officials appointed by the Vestry included overseers of the poor, surveyors of highways, a beadle, organist and sexton. The Vestry regulated the parish charities and provided poor relief in the provision of money, clothes, food and coal, management of two parish houses and the workhouse, and the provision of a medical officer and free vaccinations. The Vestry also appointed night watchmen and purchased fire-engines.
The advowson of the parish church was held by the abbot of Saint Albans in 1119. After the Reformation it passed to the owners of the manor until 1742 when the advowson was left to trustees and thus separated from the manor. Glebe lands attached to the living measured 32 acres in 1680, but this was steadily reduced, measuring 2 acres in 1940.
From around 1300 until 1632 the parish church stood on what became the corner of Old Church Lane and Wolverton Road. In 1632 a new church was constructed and dedicated to Saint John the Evangelist. This church became too small and its ruins stand in the churchyard of its replacement, built in 1849.
Source of information: A History of the County of Middlesex: Volume 5: Hendon, Kingsbury, Great Stanmore, Little Stanmore, Edmonton Enfield, Monken Hadley, South Mimms, Tottenham (1976), pp. 102-107. Available online.
Hornsey parish is situated between Finchley and Friern Barnet, bordered by Tottenham, Stoke Newington, Clissold Park, Islington, Saint Pancras and Hampstead. The parish included two detached sections situated in Stoke Newington and another detached section near Colney Hatch (transferred to Friern Barnet in 1891). Within the parish, land at Muswell Hill belonged to the parish of Clerkenwell until it was transferred to Hornsey in 1901. The parish measured 2,978 acres in 1881, which was reduced to 2,875 acres in 1901.
Hornsey Vestry was first mentioned in 1688, while churchwardens were appointed from 1421 and at first carried out the functions of the overseers, who were active from 1612. Other parish officers included surveyors of the highways, an apothecary for the poor, master of the workhouse, beadle, engine-keeper, collector of rates and public health inspector. A workhouse was established in 1730, supervised by a Vestry committee.
The original parish church of Saint Mary was demolished in 1831 as it was too small and needed many repairs. The tower was retained and a new church built alongside it, finished in 1833. This church in turn became unsuitable and was closed in 1888, although it was not demolished until 1927. The tower was spared and the site was made into a garden. For the new church a different site was chosen, on the corner of Hornsey High Street and Church Lane, and the building was completed by 1889. The church contained space for 1,200 and was considered to be the finest 19th century church in Middlesex. Unfortunately the subsoil was unstable and cracks began to appear, forcing the demolition of the building in 1969. Church services were held in the church hall.
Source of information: 'Hornsey, including Highgate: Churches', A History of the County of Middlesex: Volume 6: Friern Barnet, Finchley, Hornsey with Highgate (1980), pp. 101-182.
The parish of Stanwell was situated in the west of Middlesex. It is bordered by Staines, the River Colne, East Bedfont and Hounslow Heath. In 1930 the parish was 3,934 acres in size. The first endowment of a church in Stanwell was probably in 1204. By around 1250 the rectory of Stanwell had become a sinecure, and by 1254 there was a vicarage. In 1415 the advowson was given to Chertsey Abbey. This was surrendered to the Crown in 1537 and the advowson has remained the property of the Crown since then, although it was often leased out. The oldest parts of the church of Saint Mary date to the 13th century, while further additions date to the 14th century and restorations were carried out in 1863. The graveyard was mentioned in 1337 but was closed for burials in 1895. The church ran missions in Hithermoor Road and West Bedfont.
Source of information: A History of the County of Middlesex: Volume 3: Shepperton, Staines, Stanwell, Sunbury, Teddington, Heston and Isleworth, Twickenham, Cowley, Cranford, West Drayton, Greenford, Hanwell, Harefield and Harlington (1962), pp. 33-49. Available online.
This parish was originally formed out of the parish of Barnet and was within the Diocese of St Albans. The records were deposited by the Vicar of St Paul's Church, New Southgate, as the parishes were united and St Michael's Church closed in 1972. St Paul's became the parish church for the united parish. The church was demolished in 1973.
The church of Saint John the Evangelist was built between 1843 and 1846 to serve the southern part of Harrow parish. The land and money for the construction of the church was provided by sisters Anne and Frances Copland of Sudbury Lodge. The church building was designed by Sir George Gilbert Scott in a Gothic style. The church was given a separate parish in 1846, and the living was made a vicarage in 1872. The advowson is exercised by trustees.
From: 'Harrow, including Pinner : Modern churches', A History of the County of Middlesex: Volume 4: Harmondsworth, Hayes, Norwood with Southall, Hillingdon with Uxbridge, Ickenham, Northolt, Perivale, Ruislip, Edgware, Harrow with Pinner (1971), pp. 257-260. Available online.
St James' Church was built as a chapel of ease to St Mary, Hornsey for the benefit of the inhabitants of Muswell Hill. It was consecrated on 25 July 1842 and in 1843 it was assigned a consolidated chapelry. The original chapel soon became too small for the growing population of Muswell Hill. It was enlarged in 1874 and further extensions were necessary by the 1890s. In 1900 the old church was demolished and a much larger church was built partly on the site of the old church and partly on the grounds of the the vicarage. The new church was completed in 1910 with the construction of the tower and spire. The church was badly damaged by bombing on 19 April 1941. Temporary repairs allowed the congregation to return to St James' Church in April 1944. The church was restored after the War and was rededicated by the Bishop of London on 24 October 1952. The daughter parish of St Matthew, Muswell Hill, formed out of St James' parish in 1939, was reunited with St James in 1979.
St Matthew's mission church was built in 1926 in Coppett's Road in the parish of St James, Muswell Hill. This later became the small church hall. A larger church hall was built in 1933-4 to serve as a temporary church. St Matthew's was assigned a conventional district in 1934, and, on 11 December 1939, this became a parish. The permanent church was consecrated on 6 July 1940. The church was closed in 1978. On 1 August 1979 the parish was united with St James, Muswell Hill.
St James' Church was erected by the Commissioners for Building New Churches and assigned a particular district in 1834 which became a separate parish in 1845. This comprised all that part of the parish of Enfield to the east of an imaginary line drawn 150 yards to the west of the London to Ware turnpike road. St Matthew, Ponders End was built as a chapel of ease to St James in 1877/8 and became a separate parish in 1899. St George's Mission Church, Enfield Wash, was in existence by 1886. It was replaced by a permanent church built 1900-1906 and was assigned a parish in 1901. When the Royal Small Arms Factory Chapel closed in 1921, it was replaced by the church of St Peter and St Paul, Enfield Lock, a chapel of ease to St James. A new church of St Peter and St Paul was consecrated in 1969 and assigned a parish.
St John's was built by private subscription, on land given by Joseph Baxendale in 1832, as a chapel of ease to Finchley. In 1836 it became a district chapelry and in 1876 a parish. The church was enlarged in 1879 and 1898. It has no burial ground.
Saint Martin's Church was consecrated on 25 February 1911, and was assigned a consolidated chapelry on 12 May 1911. The church was closed in May 1977 and was formally declared redundant on 1 April 1978. The parish was united with Saint Peter, Bounces Road, Edmonton. The church building is now used by the Greek Orthodox Church.
The Church of Saint Matthew, Ponders End was built in 1877-78 as a chapel of ease to Saint James, Enfield Highway, because Saint James' Church was unable to serve the needs of the expanding population of eastern Enfield. In 1899 Saint Matthew's became a parish church in its own right. Plans for enlarging the church were drawn up, but in the event only the chancel was built.
The church of Saint Peter, Page Green, Tottenham, originated in a mission hall built by the Draper's Company to serve the poor and populous district between Page Green and Tottenham Hale in 1883-4. Ten years later a permanent building was planned, which was consecrated in 1900 when a district chapelry was formed out of Holy Trinity parish. The church was declared redundant in July 1973 and the parish was reunited with Holy Trinity, Tottenham.
The medieval parish church of Perivale or Little Greenford, St Mary the Virgin, is situated in the valley of the River Brent south of Western Avenue in the south west corner of the parish. When suburban development reached Perivale in the 1930s, a mission church dedicated to St Nicholas was built on the north side of Western Avenue, where most of the development was taking place. The parish was extended to the east in 1932 to take in part of St James, Alperton and St Barnabas, Ealing. St Nicholas' Church was consecrated in 1935 and was assigned a conventional district, but was never licensed for marriages. It was placed in the care of a missioner with the intention that in time it would become a separate parish. It had its own Parochial Church Council and published its own parish magazine. In the 1950s the Bishop of London decided that Perivale should remain one parish. At the end of 1955 St Nicholas again became an integral part of the parish of Perivale and ceased to maintain separate accounts. The missioner was replaced by a priest-in-charge under the authority of the Rector of Perivale. The two parts of the parish were brought closer together at the end of 1959 when the priest-in-charge of St Nicholas, the Reverend W H Hobday, became Rector of Perivale. A new parish church was built in the early 1960s to replace both St Mary and St Nicholas. It is situated in Federal Road adjacent to St Nicholas Church, which is now the parish hall. It was consecrated in 1965 and dedicated to both St Mary the Virgin and St Nicholas. The old parish church was restored and continued in use until 1972 when it was closed and declared redundant. It is now an arts centre. St Mary's burial ground has been closed but occasional interments still take place there in private graves. The Perivale Committee was set up by St Mary's Parochial Church Council.
The church of St. Mary The Virgin has parts dating to 1130, although the church has been subsequently extended and restored. The advowson of the church was granted to the priory of the Holy Trinity, Hounslow. A vicarage was endowed by the Bishop of London in 1316, and the advowson was granted to the Bishop after the Dissolution.
From: 'Spelthorne Hundred: East Bedfont with Hatton', A History of the County of Middlesex: Volume 2: General; Ashford, East Bedfont with Hatton, Feltham, Hampton with Hampton Wick, Hanworth, Laleham, Littleton (1911), pp. 309-314. Available online.
The church of Saint Nicholas at Shepperton is first mentioned in documents in 1157, when it was held by Westminster Abbey. In 1251 the advowson was transferred to the lord of the manor, who held it until around 1750. After this date the rectors seem to have presented themselves. In 1942 the advowson was transferred to the Bishop of London. The same church served the whole parish until 1949 when part of the parish was transferred to Littleton. The church was constructed in 1614, replacing an earlier building which had fallen into ruin.
Source of information: A History of the County of Middlesex: Volume 3: Shepperton, Staines, Stanwell, Sunbury, Teddington, Heston and Isleworth, Twickenham, Cowley, Cranford, West Drayton, Greenford, Hanwell, Harefield and Harlington (1962), pp. 1-12.
The church of Saint Michael, Cricklewood, was founded in 1907 by the London Diocesan Home Mission. A church building was completed in 1909, seating 754. The parish was assigned in 1910, taken from Saint Gabriel's parish. The patron was the Bishop of London. By 1941 the parish was in the charge of the vicar of Saint Gabriel's; and in 1949 the benefice was suspended. The church established a mission in 1907 that was later used as a parish hall.
Source of information: A History of the County of Middlesex: Volume 7: Acton, Chiswick, Ealing and Brentford, West Twyford, Willesden (1982), pp. 236-241.
The chapel of Saint Mary, so called circa 1300 and in 1535, stood west of the manor house and was one of the smallest churches in Middlesex, seating around 40 people. It was rebuilt circa 1712 by Frederick Herne and in 1800 was a plain gabled building of brick with round-headed windows, a western entrance, and a bellcot. Thomas Willan and his architect William Atkinson removed the road between the church and the manor house, covering both buildings with cement to give the appearance of stone, and embellishing them with Gothic details. To accommodate a growing population, a church hall was built in 1937 and used for worship until in 1958 a new church, incorporating the old one as a Lady Chapel, was built to the design of N. F. Cachemaille-Day.
From: 'West Twyford: Church', A History of the County of Middlesex: Volume 7: Acton, Chiswick, Ealing and Brentford, West Twyford, Willesden (1982), pp. 175-176.
The church of Saint Paul, Northfields Road, was constructed in a Gothic style in 1906 to 1907, seating 850. A parish was assigned in 1907, taken from Saint John's, Ealing Dean. The patron is the Bishop of London.
Source of information: A History of the County of Middlesex: Volume 7: Acton, Chiswick, Ealing and Brentford, West Twyford, Willesden (1982), pp. 150-153.