St Mary Magdalene, Richmond facts for kids
Quick facts for kids St Mary Magdalene, Richmond |
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| Country | England |
| Denomination | Church of England |
| Churchmanship | Book of Common Prayer |
| Architecture | |
| Architect(s) | Arthur Blomfield (Victorian modifications); George Frederick Bodley (early 20th century changes) |
| Years built | c. 1220–1904 |
| Administration | |
| Parish | St Mary Magdalene, Richmond |
| Deanery | Richmond & Barnes |
| Archdeaconry | Wandsworth |
| Episcopal area | Kingston |
| Diocese | Southwark |
| Province | Canterbury |
St Mary Magdalene Church in Richmond, London is a very old church. It is a Grade II* listed building, which means it's really important and protected. The church is dedicated to Mary Magdalene, a friend of Jesus.
Most of the church you see today was built in the 1700s, 1800s, and early 1900s. Only the tower is from the original 1500s building. Since 1996, St Mary Magdalene's has been part of a group of churches called the Richmond Team Ministry. It's known for its great music and choir services every Sunday.
Contents
History of the Church Building
The first small church here was built around 1220. The church was completely rebuilt during the time of King Henry VII. He also rebuilt the royal palace nearby and renamed the area from Sheen to Richmond in 1501. The bottom parts of the church tower are from this time. They were covered with new flint stones in 1904.
In the early 1600s, a new section was added to the south side of the main church area (called the nave). Another section was added to the north side in 1699. The original main area and the south section were rebuilt in 1750. Iron window frames replaced the old windows in 1850.
In 1866, the plaster ceiling in the main area was replaced with wooden beams by an architect named Arthur Blomfield. He also added new balconies and changed the old box pews (like small private boxes) to regular bench seats.
Later, in 1903–04, another architect, George Frederick Bodley, made big changes. He replaced the chancel (the area around the altar) with a new one. He also added two small chapels and a room for the clergy (called a vestry). These new parts were built in a style called Neo-Gothic, which looked like old Gothic churches. The church tower was also covered with flint and stone to match the new parts. The balconies on the north and south sides were removed then. The balcony at the west end was removed in 1935–36.
Famous People Buried or Remembered Here
Many interesting people are buried or have memorials at St Mary Magdalene's Church.
- Richard Attenborough (died 2014) was a famous actor and filmmaker. He lived in Richmond. His ashes are buried here with his wife, Sheila, and their daughter Jane and granddaughter Lucy. Jane and Lucy sadly died in the 2004 tsunami.
- Mary Elizabeth Braddon was a popular writer who lived in Richmond. She died in 1915 and has a memorial inside the church. She is buried in Richmond Cemetery.
- Henry Brouncker, 3rd Viscount Brouncker (died 1688) worked for King Charles II. He is buried here and has a memorial.
- The oldest memorial in the church is a brass plaque for Robert Cotton (died 1591). He worked for Queen Mary I and Queen Elizabeth I.
- Richard FitzWilliam, 7th Viscount FitzWilliam (died 1816) founded the Fitzwilliam Museum in Cambridge. He has a memorial here, as does his grandfather, Sir Matthew Decker (died 1749), who was a merchant.
- William Hickey (died 1727) was a kind person who gave money to build Hickey's Almshouses in Richmond. He is buried in the churchyard.
- Barbara Hofland (died 1844) was a writer and poet. She is buried in the church and has a memorial.
- The famous Shakespearean actor Edmund Kean (died 1833) is buried here. There is also a memorial for him inside the church.
- Samuel Paynter (died 1844) was a local official. His memorial has two marble angels carved by Edward Hodges Baily, who also sculpted Admiral Horatio Nelson's statue in Trafalgar Square.
- The poet James Thomson (died 1748) wrote the words to "Rule, Britannia!" He is buried near the font. A brass memorial was placed there for him in 1792.
- The actor Richard Yates (died 1796) was buried in the chancel at his own request. His wife, Mary Ann Yates, who was also a famous actress, is buried with him.
Church Bells
The church tower has eight bells. They were made between 1680 and 1761. They were re-hung in the 1980s so they could be rung in a circle. The largest bell weighs almost 19 hundredweight (which is about 965 kilograms!).
The Church Organ
The organ was built in 1907 by J. W. Walker & Sons Ltd. They also cleaned it in 1929 and fixed it up in 1965. You can find more details about this organ on the National Pipe Organ Register.
Notable Clergy Members
- The Right Reverend Eyre Chatterton (1863–1950) was an important Anglican writer and a bishop in India. He was a curate (a junior priest) at St Mary Magdalene's in 1900. He was also an amateur tennis player!
Gallery
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St Mary Magdalene Church
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Inside the church, looking towards the altar area
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The chancel, where the altar is
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The west end of the church
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Edmund Kean's grave
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Memorial to Edmund Kean
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Memorial to "Miss Braddon"
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Memorial to Samuel Paynter
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