WHO ARE WE?

On 16^th March 1880 a meeting was held at Eton College, under the presidency of the Headmaster, where the following resolution was passed:-

“It is desirable to connect school distinctly with some charitable work in London.”

The direct result of this meeting was to establish a Mission, the school to support a priest, in Hackney Wick, an extremely poor district with a population of 6,000.

The first “church” was a converted undertaker’s shop in Mallard Street where the first service was held on 17^th October 1880. On Advent Sunday 1880 William Carter, the first Mission Priest celebrated Holy Communion for the first time in his new “parish”. The attendance was himself and one other man, David Hewlett, who was to become the first Verger.

Despite much opposition, the congregation grew rapidly and on 24^th June 1881 a temporary iron church was dedicated, holding 200.

The present site was acquired in 1880 and, after much fundraising by Eton, the Parish Hall was opened in May 1884 and the new “Iron Church” was dedicated the following month.

Fundraising continued and the Foundation Stone of the present building was laid on 7^th June 1890 by Princess Christian, the third daughter of Queen Victoria. The architect was George Bodley, a former pupil of Sir Gilbert Scott.

Two years and over £12,000 later the church was dedicated on 18^th June 1892 and by an Order of Council of 26^th August 1893 the new Parish of St. Mary of Eton was created.

In March 1910 an appeal was made to the Old Etonians Committee for £10,000 to enable the church to be enlarged and by August building work commenced. By December 1912 two new bays and the Baptistry were added, as was the tower, which was dedicated on 7^th December 1912. This meant that most of the Mission buildings as we know them today were complete.

The total cost of building from 1892 to 1912 was about £30,000, almost all being raised by Eton and the Old Etonians Committee.

1928/29 saw the end of the building programme at the Mission with the completion of the Verger’s Cottage.

So 50 years after its foundation the Mission buildings were complete, forming the complex we are familiar with today.

The Eton College connection continued, although, as early as 1913, it had been suggested that they withdraw from St. Mary of Eton. However it was to be nearly 60 years later that the financial link was severed.

At the beginning of September 1944, a flying bomb fell on houses in Eastway, immediately opposite the tower, demolishing many homes. The church, being strongly built, did not suffer structural damage although the tower sustained a crack from half way up to the top, It was to be 1952 before the repairs were complete.

Change, however, was in the air. Early in 1944 St. Augustine’s Church, Victoria Park, had been bombed and in February 1945 the congregation joined that of St. Mary’s. St. Augustine’s was never rebuilt and the two parishes were merged on 15^th May 1953 to form St. Mary of Eton with St. Augustine.

The spiritual work of the Mission went on and the congregation continued to be large. Eton College still supported the work. In the late 1950’s approximately £1,000 was still being raised each term by voluntary contributions.

The last special fundraising effort was for the alterations to the church in 1958 when the Screen was moved from the East to the West End, the new North Entrance (which we use today) made and a new organ installed.

In 1965 the decision to sever the Eton Connection was made. It had lasted for 85 years.

The process of withdrawal took until 1973. Finally the freehold of the Mission buildings was handed over to the church authorities although Eton continue to be Patrons.

The Parish of St. Mary of Eton with St. Augustine has been, since 1973, on the same organisational and financial footing as most other parishes.

Return To Home Page