Life at Christ Church: 1866 to 1892

Christian Education for local children

From its earliest times, providing a Christian education for local children was a key priority for Christ Church. This was shown by the immediate establishment of a ‘Day School for Children of the Labouring Class’ opened on 25th March 1867, once the building previously used for ‘The Temporary Church of St James’ had been vacated. A report of the school’s first accounts survives.

Abstract of School Accounts for 1867, showing, inter alia, £39, 5 shillings and 6 pence spent on salaries; the Library Account shows £3, 18 shillings and 2 pence spent on books; the Mothers' meeting accounts shows receipts of 10 shillings from, amongst others, Mrs Merryweather, Miss Sim and Mrs Stirling.

There is also a notice of a recital of songs and readings held there on January 13th 1868 to raise funds for a village library.

New Malden Penny Readings at the School Room, Poplar Walk; shows alternating songs and readings including Miss H Berry singing 'Home, sweet Home'; Reserved seats 6 pence, front seats 3 pence and back seats 1 penny. The proceeds, after defraying expenses, will be appropriated to the Village Library.

It was also used as a Sunday School at 9.30 and 2.30. Christ Church School in Lime Grove was built in 1870 (shown below) and the school at Elm Road in 1896.

Photograph postcard of Lime Grove showing Christ Church School on the right

Holy Trinity

In 1870 a breakaway church from Christ Church was formed – Holy Trinity. Opposition to the Anglo-Catholic revival in the Church of England had led to the establishment of ‘The Free Church of England’ from the 1840s and a fierce local dispute with Charles Stirling, focused on the use of Christ Church School, then led to this particular secession. Frederick Somner Merryweather, Churchwarden of Christ Church was part of the group that broke away.

The original iron building was replaced by the one shown in this photo in 1882.

Photograph postcard bearing the title 'New Malden - Market Place', looking north towards the railway bridge; Holy Trinity is visible on the right where Waitrose now is.

By the early 1900s Holy Trinity had faded and its building was purchased in 1911 by Graham Spicer to use for Bible classes and sports activities for young men. He died in the flu epidemic of 1918, whereupon it became the Graham Spicer Institute. The building was demolished in 1989 and replaced by Waitrose with a new ‘Graham Spicer’ in Dukes Avenue.

James Page and Mary Ann Baker

Photos survive from this period of James Page (1816-1892), Churchwarden of Christ Church 1872-73 and his wife, Mary Ann Baker (1829-1910).

After their deaths, a stained glass window was given in memory of them and placed in the South Aisle.

Simeon and Anna Window featuring Mary Ann Baker and James Page

You will notice that James and Mary’s faces are used for the biblical characters of Simeon and Anna!

Mischief and Celebrations

Another photo from this time of the band marching outside Christ Church may be part of the celebrations for Queen Victoria’s Golden Jubilee in 1887.

It may also be the Drum and Fife Band established ‘to keep young people out of mischief’ by then Churchwarden Charles Davis (who is remembered by a plaque on the present South Wall).

To the Glory of God and in memory of Charles Davies. Born August 14th 1832. Died January 10th 1918


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