St Andrew, Stoke Newington facts for kids

Quick facts for kids St Andrew, Stoke Newington
Parish Church of St Andrew, Stoke Newington
Baptistery
51°34′14″N 0°04′49″W / 51.57064°N 0.08026°W / 51.57064; -0.08026
Location	106 Bethune Road, London N16 5DU
Country	England, United Kingdom
Denomination	Church of England
Churchmanship	Liberal Catholic
Website	https://www.standrewsn16.org
History
Founded	23 September 1883
Dedicated	11 October 1884
Architecture
Architect(s)	Arthur Blomfield
Style	Early English-style Kentish ragstone with Bath dressings
Administration
Parish	St Andrew, Stoke Newington
Deanery	Hackney
Archdeaconry	Hackney
Episcopal area	Stepney
Diocese	Diocese of London

St Andrew, Stoke Newington is an important Anglican church in London, England. It is located on Bethune Road, near the areas of Stamford Hill and Stoke Newington. This church is dedicated to St Andrew, a well-known saint.

The building is officially recognized as a Grade II* listed building. This means it is a very special historic place. It is protected because of its unique architecture and history.

A Look at the Church's History

The beautiful screen inside the church

The west end of the church

The chancel, where the altar is located

The sanctuary area

Before the main church was built, a temporary church was set up in 1876. It was made of iron and sometimes called a "tin tabernacle."

On September 23, 1883, the area around St Andrew's became its own church parish. A parish is like a local church district. This new parish was formed from parts of other nearby parishes.

The famous architect Arthur Blomfield designed the church we see today. It was officially opened and blessed on October 11, 1884.

Records about the church, from 1883 to 1977, are kept safe. You can find them at the London Metropolitan Archives.

Special Features of the Church

The inside of St Andrew's Church is very impressive. It has many beautiful murals, which are paintings directly on the walls. Most of these were created by a famous Victorian design company called Heaton, Butler and Bayne.

Art and Windows

The paintings behind the main altar, called the reredos, show the Crucifixion and the Apostles. Murals along the walls of the main part of the church, the nave, tell stories from the life of Jesus. These include events from the Annunciation to the Ascension.

Heaton, Butler and Bayne also designed most of the stained glass windows. Sadly, some windows on the south side were damaged by a bomb during the Second World War in 1944. The large east window, created in 1951, was designed by a Scottish artist named William Wilson.

The huge west window is a memorial for the First World War. It was designed by Burlison and Grylls and dedicated in 1919. This window was rededicated in 2015 after repairs to the church.

Other Important Features

The church also has a special memorial from the First World War. It lists people from the parish who served in the war and returned home. This unique memorial has been restored and is now in its original spot.

The font, used for baptisms, was designed by Arthur Blomfield in 1884. It is made of alabaster, a beautiful stone. Blomfield also designed the pulpit, where sermons are given. The church's organ was made by Walker and Sons.

What Happens at St Andrew's Today?

St Andrew's Church has a small but dedicated group of people who attend services. The church is working to repair and improve its building.

In 2014, the church received money from the Heritage Lottery Fund. This money helped replace roofs over parts of the church. It also helped fix crumbling stonework and the west window. More repairs are still needed for other roofs and the east window.

Church Services and Activities

The church follows a "liberal catholic" style of worship. This means it combines traditional practices with a welcoming, open approach.

• A main service, called Parish Eucharist, happens every Sunday at 10:30 AM. After the service, people can enjoy tea, coffee, and biscuits.
• On Thursdays at 8 PM, there is a quiet time for meditation and prayer called "Seeking Stillness."
• Children and young people are always welcome.
• On the first Sunday of each month, there is an "All Age Eucharist" service. Different people, including young ones, help lead this service.
• On the third Sunday of the month, there's "ALL Age Church" from 2 PM to 3:30 PM. This is an interactive service with crafts, Bible stories, games, and food.

The current priest in charge is the Revd Charis Enga.

See also

• Stoke Newington (parish)