Church to celebrate 125 years (From Richmond and Twickenham Times)

Church to celebrate 125 years

10:46am Friday 7th May 2004 in Search

ONE of Chiswick's finest churches, St Michael & All Angels, Bedford Park, will celebrate its 125th anniversary next week. On Thursday May 13 at 8pm, there will be a special service in the church, open to all, followed by a party in its historic Parish Hall, which was rebuilt three years ago.

St Michael's was designed by the well-known architect Norman Shaw in the Arts and Crafts style. A picture of his design was published in Building News in January 1879. Its foundation stone was laid in May 1879 and the building work continued over the following year.

There have been nine parish priests over the years, and three are expected to be at the service, including the incumbent Fr Kevin Morris.

"The building of this church at the centre of the Bedford Park estate was an act of faith, and I'm delighted we're still at the heart of the community 125 years later," he said. "We want to acknowledge our past but this is really a time for looking forward and I hope many people will want to come and celebrate with us. Our congregation continues to grow, with many young families, and the church is often full - for services, concerts and drama productions."

The preacher at the service on Thursday will be the Reverend Mark Oakley, of St Paul's Covent Garden, often known as the "actors' church".

There will also be a special programme of music devised by Oliver West, who retires this year after 30 years as the church's organist.

The celebrations will continue throughout the year, including the Bedford Park Festival next month, which is run by St Michael's for the community.