St. George the Martyr, Queen Square, Holborn, London
St. George’s is a church plant from Holy Trinity Brompton which has brought new life and energy to this place. The website, which is pretty smart, focusses on the many activities that take place here – see http://www.stgholborn.org/Groups/47093/St_Georges_Holborn.aspx What you won’t find is anything about the building itself or how it might be accessed at any time other than when there is a service or activity on. That is fine as far as it goes, but I am not sure what impact or witness this church has on it’s immediate area. It is not realistic to expect every church building to be open each day – the context will vary, but there is surely a place for something of a ‘sacred centre’? Especially in a busy part of London, a place set apart for those who work in the area of are passing through? I am not sure that any of the HTB group of churches are open in the week.
St. Mildred’s, Acol
St. Mildred’s is a quaint little church in the Thanet hamlet of Acol. It was built in 1879 and looks well worth a look. Unfortunately it was locked with no indication as to whether it is every open outside of services. In the porch were two notices, ‘Your rural church St. Mildred’s Acol. All welcome.’ and, in a similar vein; ‘Our vision as a church is to be an open, welcoming and supportive community of Christians who encourage one another in making Christ known in Acol and beyond.’ Rather ironic on a locked church which proclaims, by being locked the exact opposite!
There is a section on St. Mildred’s on http://allsaintsbirchington.com , but no visitor information
St. Thomas a Becket, Northaw
An interesting looking church on the village green. There are a couple of pinnacles in the church yard from a previous incarnation which burnt down. It was unfortunately locked up and didn’t look very inviting with the chained gates. This just gives the message that God has gone away and doesn’t care any more. Could do better. The website, http://www.norcuff.com does say ‘The churches are often open during the day.’ Not today though.
St. Andrew’s, Cuffley
A striking building at the top of the High Street. It is in a commanding position and the worship area is upstairs with an undercroft below which is used for various community clubs and events (there was an energetic exercise class going on when I got there)
A lady told me that the church was normally open but closed today as it was being prepared for an art exhibition. She told me that a lot of people called in. The website, http://www.norcuff.com says that ‘The churches are often open in the day’. I just came on the wrong day. I research my visits and had looked forward to visiting here. I will have to come along again.
St. James, Goffs Oak
An interesting looking church, very Victorian on the outside and very modern inside – at least I could
see through the glass doors at the west end as St. Jame’s was locked. A real shame as this looks to be a good example of how a church can be re ordered in a way that both retains it’s character and makes it more user friendly. There is a nice website at http://www.stjamesgoffsoak.co.uk but with no indication as to whether the church is ever open midweek. This is what I could see through the doors – not a great picture but the best I could do.
St. Mary’s, Cheshunt
I arrived just as a funeral was starting which wasn’t great timing so I couldn’t go in. The notice board outside gives details of the services here and clergy. There is a website at http://www.cheshuntteamministry.org.uk with lots of information but nothing about mid week visitors. I suspect that it is normally locked.
Christchurch, Waltham Cross
I will always remember this church as I parked in a side street – there is no where close to the church which is on a very busy junction. I passed a fried chicken shop and bought some on my way back to the car. This was probably the most disgusting meal I have ever had. It tasted as though it had been fried in stale sweat and even I couldn’t eat it. Recalling it now brings a nauseous feeling.
Back to the church. Having got there I found it locked up and with no indication is to whether it was possible to get in between services. There is no real website as such but a good entry on ‘a church near you’ which tells me that this is a joint Anglican and Methodist church. There is an entry about the ‘Stations of the Cross’ here and some pictures which are a bit frustrating when you can’t get inside. It looks like a church worth visiting if only you could.
Avoid the fried chicken as well.
St. Clement’s, Turnford
A church on a busy road. It is open for ‘Coffee, tea and toast’ on Thursdays between 9am and 12.00. It was locked when I got there. There is an entry on ‘a church near you’ and a rudimentary website at http://www.stclementschurch.co.uk but this doesn’t work very well.
St. Lawrence, Wormley
A church with serious parking restrictions! It is surrounded by big house and there is only one disabled place outside. There is a car park some way down the road. The church is also locked which is a great pity as it looks well worth a look.
The website is at http://www.broxbournewithwormley.org.uk with no visitor information
St. Augustine’s, Broxbourne
St. Augustine’s is situated in a lovely setting, beside the ‘New River’ and opposite a park. The church was open, with an A board outside saying that this was the case. Inside I found a guide book and some postcards and notelets for sale. There was a visitors book which showed 6 entries for June (I visited on 25th June). There was a knowledgeable lady there who told me quite a bit about the church. Items of interest were well labelled. Prayer requests can be left and these are placed on an altar which shows that they are taken seriously. Some lights were left on and there is also a prayer table with some ‘take away’ slips of paper with suitable bible verses on them. The church website is at http://www.broxbournewithwormley.org.uk which has an unusual design and doesn’t give any specific visitor information.
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