Building    From 1573 

Wandsworth Chapel

Categories: Religion

Building

From The Story of Congregationalism in Surrey we discover that the claim on the plaque that there was a church/chapel erected here in 1573 is more tradition than truth. The early Wandsworth Presbyterians certainly did meet at this time but probably in private houses. It is now thought that the first chapel at this site was erected by the French refugee Huguenots. When they ceased using it in the 18th century it was used for various purposes, only some religious. "Iwas used by John Wesley, who often preached in the old building, and who here baptised his first heathen convert, a negro brought over from the West Indies by a resident of Wandsworth, Francis Gilbert, brother of the Speaker in the House of Representatives at Antigua."

Rowland Hill (not the PO man) ran it for a time. The Evangelical Association purchased the lease, renovated the building and reopened it in 1809. 

By the 1850s Wandsworth’s population had outgrown the little chapel in this back street.  A new chapel was built on East Hill and opened in 1860. Thee are a few churches on East Hill and we haven't identified which one this is. The old building was used as a school and entertainment venue for the working classes but was soon found to be inconvenient.  So the old church was demolished, stones laid by Geard and Toms, and a large hall capable of holding 500 people was opened in 1883. This continued to be used for church functions until 1939.

Comments are provided by Facebook, please ensure you are signed in here to see them

This section lists the memorials where the subject on this page is commemorated:
Wandsworth Chapel

Commemorated ati

Chapel - building

{On the plaque to the left:} Erected 1573, Enlarged 1685. {On the plaque to ...

Read More

Other Subjects

St Dunstans, Stepney

St Dunstans, Stepney

Records of this church go back to AD 952. Until the 14th century it was the only church in east London. The existing 15th century building is the third on the site, though it was reclad in 1880s. T...

Building, Religion

3 memorials
John Hampden Gurney

John Hampden Gurney

Anglican clergyman and hymnist. Born the son of a lawyer at 12 Serjeant's Inn. Rector of St Mary's, Bryanston Square, from 1847 until his death at home 63 Gloucester Place.

Person, Music / songs, Religion

2 memorials
Society of Friends in London

Society of Friends in London

English Buildings has a good short intro to Quakers in England and an assessment of an important Quaker building, albeit, not in London. Quakers were active in the WW2 Kindertransport.

Group, Religion

3 memorials
St Katharine by the Tower / Royal Foundation of St Katharine

St Katharine by the Tower / Royal Foundation of St Katharine

Full name: Royal Hospital and Collegiate Church of St. Katharine by the Tower. This was a medieval church and hospital founded by Queen Matilda of Boulogne, wife of King Stephen. From 1273 onwards...

Building, Religion

1 memorial
Canon Joseph Robinson

Canon Joseph Robinson

Joseph Robinson was born on 23 February 1927, the elder of the two children of Thomas Robinson and Mary Robinson née Wright. His birth was registered in the 1st quarter of 1927 in the Wigan Registr...

Person, Liveries & Guilds, Religion

1 memorial

Previously viewed

George M. Hammer and Co. Ltd.

George M. Hammer and Co. Ltd.

Firm of furniture makers, such as school desks and park benches. From London Fine: "Operating in the 19th and early 20th centuries, Hammer were an old English furnisher, in their words; 'Manufactur...

Group, Commerce, Craft / Design

1 memorial
John Courage

John Courage

Born Aberdeen.  Came to London in 1780 as a shipping agent.  He bought the Private House and Old Brewhouse at Horselydown in 1787 and developed it into a thriving business.  Died London.

Person, Commerce, Food & Drink, Scotland

1 memorial