St Lawrence Church, Morden
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St Lawrence Church stands at the highest point of Morden, in the centre of the old village overlooking Morden Park, in the London Borough of Merton.
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[edit] History of the church building
The first church building here was possibly wooden - churches dedicated to St Lawrence were usually Saxon in origin.
The first stone and brick church would have been built soon after the Norman conquest. Merton Abbey was nearby, so Morden would not have been very important — until Merton Abbey was closed by Henry VIII during the Dissolution of the Monasteries and the manor sold. Edward Whitchurch and Lionel Dutchet, printers of the first English language Bible, bought it, but had to flee to Europe when Henry VIII's Catholic eldest daughter Mary I succeeded her younger Protestant brother Edward VI when he died in 1553. The estate went to the Garth family.
By the 1630s, the Garths were Puritans, and St Lawrence church was rebuilt in Protestant style — i.e. no places for images of saints, or reservation of bread and wine. In the English Civil War, villagers would have been for Parliament against the King.
[edit] About St Lawrence (from the official website)
Inside, most people who visit St Lawrence's find us to be warm and welcoming. Should we meet you face to face we hope that you do to.
We are part of four Anglican churches in the Parish of Morden. The other churches are St Martin's, Emmanuel & St George's. We are evangelical, and committed to serving and witnessing to those who live in our parish. And are catholic in the sense of being part of God's worldwide church (we support several mission groups as well as our own diocese) and are keen to work with other local churches.
As a parish we understand 'Mission' to include all our work, e.g. the Morden Pastoral Counselling Centre, and the Morden Parish Hall Community.
[edit] A condensed history of Morden and St Lawrence
Morden gets its name either from the Saxon words "Mawr" (high) and Don (a hill), or possibly "The Den on the Moor". Most of Southern England was a great forest, and where the Romans cut Stane Street through the trees from Chichester to London, 10 miles from London would have been the lunch stop for legionaries, a 1/2 day's march between London and Leatherhead. The George, which is now a Harvester, could have served refreshments to them.
After the Romans came the Saxons. The first church building here was possibly wooden - churches dedicated to St Lawrence were usually Saxon in origin. The mound in Morden park may be a Saxon burial mound. Augustine who was sent by Pope Gregory of Rome was the first Archbishop of Canterbury, Lawrence was the second - and was martyred. Ethelstan the Etheling, son of Ethelred (the Unready), left "land at Mordune" to Christ and St Peter in 1015.
The first stone and brick church would have been built soon after the Norman conquest. Merton Abbey was nearby, so Morden would not have been very important - until Merton Abbey was closed down by Henry VIII and the estate sold. Edward Whitchurch and Lionel Dutchet, printers of the first England Bible, bought it, but had to flee to Europe when Queen Mary took over, and the estate went to the Garth family. See the "Ecclesiae Amicus" (Latin for Friend of the Church) inscription on the gravestone of Richard Garth by the Communion table.
By the 1630's, the Garth's were Puritans, and St Lawrence church was rebuilt in Protestant style - i.e. no places for images of saints, or reservation of bread and wine. In the Civil War, villagers would have been for Parliament against the King. The East Window, with the Ten Commandments (Moses and Aaron either side) gives an extra severe touch! But of course it was in this period that our modern democratic form of government developed.
[edit] St Lawrence's Building and Churchyard
The large Queen Anne coat of Arms preserved on the south wall shows that democratic monarchy is where our heart lies. It may also have something to do with the fact that Queen Anne established the Church Commissioners, which paid Church of England clergy until recently! Note the words over it - Fear God (i.e. respect Him, and find your self-respect) and Honour the Queen!
Other features to note are: the plain Communion table (50 years ago, we were still sensitive to Catholic symbols!).
The Pulpit itself has a sounding-board over it (1700's amplification). The monument opposite to Elizabeth Gardiner commemorates a benefactor to the first Morden school - the Old School House (now part of the Parish Hall Community) over the road is still used for educational purposes.
The coats of arms along the ceiling are called Hatchments - in the 1700's families liked to display their coats of arms, in a funeral procession! Where there is a half-black and half-white background, that shows there was a surviving spouse. The gallery at the back used to have a pipe organ in it, but was originally built for a Sunday School. In the tower are three bells, which can only be tolled, i.e. not swung right over - English Heritage won't let us renew the frame.
Our Churchyard contains some interesting gravestones - however, please remember that whilst history is important, our new Church Centre as well as the Parish Hall are used during the week for a Counselling Centre, Play-group, Dance and Badminton clubs, Children's and youth-clubs. Our four Church services each Sunday are at the heart of our being the living church - hopefully inspiring people to be effective Christians at work; helping people of all ages to find the fullness of life which Jesus promises, a promise which people all over the world find to be true.
Four of the graves that you might like to look for in the churchyard:
Augustus Shermuly - died 1929, inventor of the pistol rocket life-saving apparatus. On the gravestone the inscription "Homeward bound" with a sailing ship engraved.
Gilliat Hatfeild (yes, that is the correct spelling) - Morden's last Squire - 1861 - 1941. The inscription "Faithful to his trust" reminds us not only of his foresight in protecting Morden Hall Park and Morden Park for our enjoyment, but challenges us to be faithful to our trust.
Jessie and John Clover, (died 1939/49). The inscription at the foot of their red tombstone is a good statement of Christian hope:
"Them in their perfect rest unseen, no gulfs of space from us divide, 'Tis but the Lord who walks between, and they His other side."
Captain Alexander Maconochie - he was one of the first governors of an Australian penal settlement, Morden obviously made a comfortable place to retire to!
[edit] The Parish Hall Community
Morden Parish Hall Community has been set up on the site of the Parish Hall in Central Road, Morden. The site has been used in the past as a School House and as clergy accommodation. The site consists of three accommodation units: the Old School House, an eighteenth century cottage, and Hall Cottage both attached to the Hall, and New Row, a purpose built building consisting of four bed/sitting rooms and two shower/ toilets, built behind the hall. There is room for eight people living on site at the present.
The vision of the Community is to be a safe environment where those who have had a difficult start to adult life can find somewhere secure to 'find their feet', living alongside mature Christians who will be able to offer advice and support. At present we have two residents, Daniel and David and two members of the community - David (the Warden) and Dean. The community is a relaxed one; it's focal point being a communal meal on Thursday evenings.
[edit] St Lawrence Team
Rev. Ray Skinner - the Rector of St Lawrence's and the Morden Team. He has been at the parish since 1990. Prior to this he was a missionary in Oman for 3 years and served in parishes in the North East. He is married to Hilary and they have a family of seven. Ray's interests are: Christian & Muslim relations, youth work, woodwork, country walks and decent pubs.
Martin Whiting - is a Parish warden for the Morden Team. He helps to keep the show on the road by looking after a lot of the property and financial aspects of church and parish. If he doesn't know the answer he usually knows someone who does. He enjoys riding and skiing and time with the family.
David McCall - David is a Reader at St Lawrence's. He plays an active role in leading worship and preaches regularly, he's secretary to a couple of committees and runs an ever-expanding home group. One day he'll get his yacht repaired and back in the water.
Sue White - Sue has been at St Lawrence's for longer than she cares to remember. Finally she has succumbed to becoming Churchwarden and is slowly finding out what that entails. She sings in the church choir and is also a member of Wimbledon Chamber Choir and Sutton Symphony Orchestra. She has also been involved in organising social events for St Lawrence.
Pam Bullen - Pam is our 'SPA' (Southwark Pastoral Auxiliary) - which means she is recognised by the diocese as exercising a pastoral ministry. A keen dancer she runs the Monday night line dancing group. She 's also involved on Sundays, helps with baptism preparation and weddings and keeps an eye out to welcome newcomers.
