St Winefride Church, South Wimbledon facts for kids

Quick facts for kids St Winefride Church
Front entrance
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OS grid reference	TQ2569970492
Location	South Wimbledon
Country	United Kingdom
Denomination	Roman Catholic
Website	WinefrideChurch.co.uk
History
Status	Active
Founder(s)	Society of Jesus
Dedication	Saint Winefride
Architecture
Functional status	Parish church
Heritage designation	Grade II listed
Designated	21 March 1996
Architect(s)	Frederick Walters
Style	Romanesque Revival
Groundbreaking	1904
Completed	1905
Administration
Deanery	Merton
Archdiocese	Southwark
Province	Southwark

St Winefride Church is a Roman Catholic church located in South Wimbledon, which is part of the London Borough of Merton. It was built in 1905 by a group called the Society of Jesus, also known as the Jesuits. The church was designed by Frederick Walters and is now a Grade II listed building. This means it is a special building protected for its history and architecture.

The Church's Story

How St Winefride Church Began

In 1877, a religious group called the Jesuits came to Wimbledon. They were asked by Edith Arendrup, a member of the Courtauld family, to hold church services in her home. The Jesuits also helped Catholics in South Wimbledon by holding services in St Mary's School.

Later, in 1884, Edith Arendrup helped build Sacred Heart Church in the area. This church was finished in 1887 and was also designed by Frederick Walters.

Building a New Church

By 1903, more and more Catholics were living in South Wimbledon. People decided that a new church was needed to welcome everyone. Frederick Walters, the same architect who designed Sacred Heart Church, was chosen to design this new church.

Construction of St Winefride Church began in 1904 and was completed in 1905. You can see the Jesuits' influence in the church. There is a statue of Saint Ignatius, who founded the Jesuits, placed near a statue of Saint Winefride, the church's patron saint.

Changes Over Time

In 1961, the Jesuits passed the responsibility of running the church to the Archdiocese of Southwark. This group continues to look after the church and its community today.

During the 1980s, the church was updated. The altar was moved closer to the people, and beautiful stained glass was added to some windows. A new heating system was also put in. The church also has a hall on Bridges Road, which is still used by the community. This hall was updated in 2004.

Church Life and Community

Mass Times

St Winefride Church holds three Sunday Masses. One is on Saturday evening at 6:00 PM. On Sunday morning, there are services at 9:00 AM and 11:00 AM. Weekday Masses are held at 9:30 AM from Monday to Friday, and there is another Mass at 10:00 AM on Saturday.

Local School Connections

Within the church's area is St Mary's Catholic Primary School. This school works closely with the church. The school believes that the education children receive is based on important Christian values. St Mary's Catholic Primary School also helps prepare students for Wimbledon College, which is a Jesuit secondary school.

Inside the Church

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  The main area inside the church, called the Nave

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  The beautiful East window

More to Explore

• List of Jesuit sites
• Sacred Heart Church, Wimbledon