St Mary the Virgin, Mortlake facts for kids

Quick facts for kids St Mary the Virgin, Mortlake
OS grid reference	TQ 20845 75941
Location	Mortlake High Street London SW14 8JA
Country	England
Denomination	Church of England
Churchmanship	Central/Liberal
History
Founded	1348
Architecture
Style	Tudor, with more recent additions
Years built	from 1543
Administration
Parish	Mortlake with East Sheen
Deanery	Richmond and Barnes
Archdeaconry	Archdeaconry of Wandsworth
Episcopal area	Kingston Episcopal Area
Diocese	Southwark

St Mary the Virgin, Mortlake is a historic parish church located in Mortlake, a part of the London Borough of Richmond upon Thames. It belongs to the Church of England. The main priest, called the rector, is The Revd Jonathan Haynes. The Revd Ayoob Adwar became the Team Vicar in March 2025.

The church building is on Mortlake High Street in London. It was first built in 1543. Today, it is a Grade II* listed site, which means it is a very important historical building.

History of St Mary's Church

The very first church building in Mortlake was a small chapel. It was built in 1348. This chapel stood near the river on the High Street. The only part left from that old chapel is a special stone font. This font was given to the church by Archbishop Bourchier in the 1400s.

How the Church Got Its Land

The land where the current church and its graveyard stand was given to the local community by King Henry VIII. This happened in 1543. A stone on the church's west side remembers this gift. It has the words "VIVAT RH8 1543" carved into it.

Changes Over Time

The church built in 1543 has changed a lot over many years. Only the tower from the original Tudor church remains today. The tower has a special belfry (where the bells are) and a cupola (a small dome). These parts make the tower stand out in old pictures of the Thames riverbank.

Most of the church's current look comes from a local architect named Sir Arthur Blomfield. He designed the chancel (the area around the altar) in 1885. His company then built the main part of the church, called the nave, in 1905. The small building next to the church, called the vestry house, was built in 1670. It was repaired in 1979 and 1980.

Inside the Church

The church's pulpit (where the priest gives sermons) was added in 1902. It was put there to remember Albert Shadwell Shutt. He was the church's vicar from 1866 to 1896.

Important Memorials

The oldest grave in the churchyard belongs to John Partridge. He was an astrologer who passed away in 1715. There are also memorials for other famous people. These include Henry Addington, 1st Viscount Sidmouth, who was a British Prime Minister. Three Lord Mayors of London also have memorials here.

A special memorial for John Dee was put up in June 2013. John Dee was a famous scholar who lived across from the church. He is buried in an unmarked spot under the chancel.

St Mary's Church Today

St Mary's Church is part of a larger group of churches. This group is called the parish of Mortlake with East Sheen. It includes Christ Church, East Sheen and All Saints' Church, East Sheen. The parish creates a monthly magazine called Parish Link.

The church follows the Central and Liberal traditions of the Church of England. Church services are held on Tuesday, Saturday, and Sunday mornings. The churchyard is also home to the Mortlake Quiet Gardens. These gardens are connected to The Quiet Garden Trust.

Gallery

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  South door

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  John Dee memorial plaque installed in 2013 inside the church

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  The north face of the tower

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  Sculpture by the front door

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  East window

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  Altar