70th Anniversary Celebrations
On 5th July we will be celebrating 70 years of the current St Helen’s building.
We would love for as many neighbours as possible to join us for a Service of Celebration and a 'Big Lunch' outside afterwards. Everyone is invited!
Details below, together with a brief History and some notes on the Architecture.
10.30-11.20am Anniversary Service
Favourite hymns, prayers and hearing God's word as we give thanks for 70 years.
Sunday Club for school age children. Smaller children are welcome to stay in the service, or there is a side room for those who need space.
Tea/coffee/cake etc afterwards.
12-2pm ‘Big Lunch’ Outside
Heading out to St Helen's Gardens for lunch. There will be face painting, popcorn and games for children.
We'll provide a BBQ, and are also encouraging the 'Big Lunch' idea of bringing food/drink to share with neighbours or buying something from the shops and cafés.
The original Victorian building was built on a triangle of land presented by W H St Quintin and consecrated in 1884.
It was heavily bombed during the Blitz and was completely destroyed when a Flying Bomb landed where the vicarage is now.
The current building was designed by J. B. Sebastian Comper (son of Sir J Ninian Comper) and the foundation stone laid by HRH the Duchess of Kent on 4th December 1954.
Comper’s design is a freely treated late Gothic with elements of perpendicular and North European sixteenth century architecture. The west front is of brick with a bellcote surmounted by a thin spirelet to cap the composition.
The interior comprises a five bay clerestoried nave with aisles and a Lady Chapel which projects to the east. This is the location of a brass lectern saved from the former building.
The whitewashed interior and use of plain glass in the majority of the windows maximises natural light and at the the west end of the church is a fine organ designed by the architect’s father.
LondonChurches.com has some example photographs.
01/06/2026