St Richard's Church, Ham facts for kids
Quick facts for kids St Richard's Church, Ham |
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| 51°26′2.6772″N 0°18′48.7722″W / 51.434077000°N 0.313547833°W | |
| Location | Ashburnham Road, Ham, Richmond TW10 7LN |
| Country | England, United Kingdom |
| Denomination | Church of England |
| History | |
| Status | Church |
| Founded | 19 August 1964 |
| Consecrated | 20 May 1966 |
| Architecture | |
| Functional status | Active |
| Architect(s) | Ralph Covell |
| Specifications | |
| Number of spires | 1 |
| Bells | 1 |
| Administration | |
| Diocese | Southwark |
St Richard's Church in Ham is an Anglican church located on Ashburnham Road in Ham, part of the London Borough of Richmond upon Thames. It was started in 1964 and is named after St Richard of Chichester.
Contents
History of St Richard's Church
Building the Church
The church was built as part of a large new housing area. The land for the church was given by a construction company called Wates. The first stone was placed on September 19, 1964, by Norman Wates. While the church was being built, Wates let the growing church group use a workmen's hut for their services.
Unique Design and Art
The architect, Ralph Covell, designed the church to look like a six-pointed Star of David. This shape created a special hexagonal (six-sided) space for people to worship. This design helped bring the church members and the clergy (church leaders) closer together. The roof is also star-shaped, with six different sections.
Henry Haig, who taught at Kingston School of Art at the time, was asked to create the fourteen stained glass windows. He also painted the doors to the sacristy (a room where sacred items are kept) and made the first processional cross. The designs in the windows and paintings are abstract, meaning they don't show clear pictures. Instead, they are inspired by different parts of St Richard's life.
The two window panels behind the altar in the lady chapel show St Richard's chalice (a special cup). Moving around the church, the next window shows the miracle of the fishes. The following two windows represent St Richard's kindness and sense of humor. The bishop's mitre (a special hat) is shown in the next panel.
Three panels to the right of the altar show St Richard's power and strength. The middle panel in this group shows how King Henry III tried to stop Richard's power at first. The next panel shows St Richard's miracle at Candlemas. The two after that show St Richard as a gardener and how plants grow. The next window shows birth, and the two windows near the entrance show St Richard's death. One shows hands pressing down on the chalice and releasing the soul, while the other shows gifts left at his tomb.
Church Organ and Consecration
The church has a special organ called a tracker organ. It was originally made around 1900 by Bevington and Sons of London. It was rebuilt and installed in the church in 1965 by N. P. Mander Ltd.
On May 20, 1966, the church was officially dedicated to St Richard of Chichester. This ceremony was led by the Right Reverend Mervyn Stockwood, who was the Bishop of Southwark at the time.
Recent Improvements
In 1998, the church's kitchen and facilities for people with disabilities were improved. In 2003, the children's area was made better with folding screens and a colorful mural. A large wooden cross, which stands on a small hill outside the church, was built by young people from the local area in 2006.
The church was given a special Grade II listing in February 2024. This means it is recognized as an important historic building.
Church Activities and Community Use
Regular Services
A weekly Parish Communion service is held every Sunday at 10 am. After the service, people can stay for tea and coffee. There is also a Said Communion service held on Tuesdays at 10 am.
Community Connections
St Richard's Church has a strong connection with the nearby St Richard's CE Primary School. The school uses the church for assemblies and other activities. The church building is also used by many different community groups. These groups include a playgroup for young children, a choir, and a martial arts group.
