St Mary Matfelon facts for kids
Quick facts for kids St Mary's, Whitechapel |
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| St Mary Matfelon Church, Whitechapel | |
St Mary's Church, Whitechapel,
after the fire in 1880 |
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 St Mary's, Whitechapel
Location in Greater London
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| 51°30′59″N 0°04′07″W / 51.5163°N 0.0686°W | |
| Location | Whitechapel, London |
| Country | England |
| Denomination | Church of England |
| History | |
| Status | parish church |
| Architecture | |
| Functional status | defunct |
| Completed | 1329 |
| Administration | |
| Deanery | Tower Hamlets |
| Archdeaconry | Stepney |
| Diocese | London |
| Province | Canterbury |
St Mary Matfelon church, also known as St Mary's, Whitechapel, was a very old church in Whitechapel, London. It started as a Catholic church and later became a Church of England parish church. Many people believe the church was painted with a white lime wash. This bright white color is thought to have given the area its name, Whitechapel.
The church was first built around 1329. It was rebuilt several times over the centuries. Sadly, it was badly damaged by bombs during the Blitz in World War II. The church was then taken down in 1952. Today, the area where the church once stood is a public park called Altab Ali Park. You can still see the outline of the church's foundation there.
Contents
A Look Back: The Church's History
A church building has stood on this spot for over 670 years. It was located where Adler Street meets White Church Lane and Whitechapel High Street. The very first building was simply called the "white chapel." It was a small chapel that served the western part of the large Stepney parish.
By 1320, this white chapel became its own parish, known as St Mary Matfelon. This made it the second oldest church in Stepney. The name "Matfelon" might have come from a person named Richard Matefelun, who was a wine merchant in the area in the 1200s.
Rebuilding and Fire
The church was rebuilt several times. A major new version of the church opened in 1877. Just a few years later, in 1880, a big fire badly damaged it. Only the tower and some rooms were left standing.
The church was quickly rebuilt again and reopened in 1882. This new building was much larger, able to hold 1600 people. It even had an outdoor pulpit for sermons. Some of these sermons were given in Yiddish, a language spoken by many people in the area.
Community Connections
A school called Monkton Combe School helped support St Mary's Church. Starting in 1906, students and former students from the school helped with church activities. They ran a Boys' Club and Bible classes for men. The school also sent money and other help to what they called the "Whitechapel Mission."
The End of the Church
During the Blitz, which was a series of air raids on London in World War II, the church was hit by bombs. This happened on December 29, 1940. The church was left in ruins and was finally taken down in 1952.
The land where the church stood became St Mary's Gardens in 1966. Today, it is a public park called Altab Ali Park. The outline of the church's foundation is still visible in the park. Many people were buried in the church's graveyard. These include the mutineer Richard Parker, the hangman Richard Brandon, and the kind-hearted Sir John Cass. The famous clockmaker Ahasuerus Fromanteel was also buried there in 1693.
The 'White Chapel' Name
The original church building was painted with a special white paint made from lime and chalk. This gave it a very bright, white look. People in the area started calling it the 'white chapel' because of this. The church was in an important spot on Whitechapel Road. Because of its bright white appearance and location, the name 'white chapel' stuck and became the name for the whole area.
Church Design and Features
The church was known as St Mary Matfelon. The name "Matfelon" has been a puzzle for many years. Some think it comes from an old Hebrew word, "Matfel." This word can mean a woman who has just had a baby or a woman carrying her baby. Both meanings could refer to the Virgin Mary and her son.
The church that stood before the 1877 rebuilding was described in 1829. It was built in 1673 after an older church became too old and damaged. This building was made of brick with stone decorations. It was about 93 feet long and 63 feet wide. The tower and a small turret reached 80 feet high. The main entrance had decorations with cherubs' heads. The church had many windows of different shapes and sizes, including oval and square ones.
A Sunday Service in 1896
In 1896, a book described what a Sunday service was like at St Mary's. The church itself was seen as beautiful and welcoming in its busy neighborhood. Its tall spire reached 200 feet high, standing out above the houses. Its bells rang out, inviting people to come inside.
Many people, including those from the middle class, would walk through the crowded streets to attend the morning service. Inside, the church was large, impressive, and richly decorated. The high roof, colorful walls, sculptures, and stained-glass windows showed how much care and money went into building it.
The church could seat 1300 people. The services included lots of singing, with the Psalms chanted by a robed choir. Singing was a big part of the worship, and the church made sure everyone could join in.
Sunday evenings were even more popular. The church would be filled with about a thousand working-class people from Whitechapel. The service was described as beautiful and memorable. The vicar, Mr. Sanders, would give sermons that spoke directly to the lives and challenges of the people in his community. He knew the parish well, as he and his assistants visited every family, both Jewish and non-Jewish.
On Sunday afternoons, the church also held meetings for working-class people. These "Pleasant Sunday Afternoon" gatherings included a talk from a clergyman, music from an orchestra and the church organ, and popular hymns. This helped people who might not usually go to church to experience its beauty and music, and to connect with the clergy.
Notable People
Thomas Lord Busby, a portrait artist and engraver, was baptized at St Mary’s in 1782.
