St Dionis, Parsons Green facts for kids
St. Dionis, Parsons Green is a historic Anglican church located in Parsons Green, Fulham, London. It is a very important building, officially recognized as a Grade II listed site. This means it has special historical or architectural value and is protected.
Contents
The Church's Story
Building a New Church
The church you see today was built in 1886. It was designed by a famous architect named Ewan Christian. He created it in the Perpendicular Gothic style. This is a type of English church design from the late Middle Ages, known for its tall windows and straight, strong lines.
The new church replaced an older building from 1876. That older building is still there, right next to the church. It is now called the St Dionis Mission Hall. It is used for other church activities and community events.
Where the Name Comes From
The name "St. Dionis" has an interesting history. It comes from an even older church in the City of London called St Dionis Backchurch. That church was very old, dating back to medieval times. After the Great Fire of London in 1666, it was rebuilt by the famous architect Christopher Wren.
However, the old St Dionis Backchurch was later found to be unsafe. It was taken down in 1878. The money from selling its land helped pay for the new St. Dionis church in Parsons Green. Some parts of the old church, like its font (for baptisms) and pulpit (where sermons are given), were moved to the new church.
Understanding "Dionis"
The name "Dionis" might sound a bit unusual. It is actually a shorter way of saying "Denis." The church is dedicated to Saint Denis. He was an important early Christian leader in France. He was beheaded in the 3rd century while trying to share his faith in Paris. So, the church honors his memory.
The Vicarage Building
Next to the church, on the left side, you will see another building. This is the St Dionis Vicarage. It was built a bit later, between 1898 and 1899. The vicarage is the home where the church's priest lives.
