Did the 19th-century residents of Blackheath ever imagine they’d have their own parish church? Picture this: it’s the early 1800s, and the small hamlet south of Blackheath Common is growing. Residents rely on churches in neighboring towns like Greenwich, Lee, Lewisham, and Charlton for their spiritual needs. But by 1854, a desire for their own church emerges. Finally, in 1857, their wish is granted, and construction begins on All Saints’ Blackheath. This wasn’t just to be a daughter church of Lewisham; it was to be a parish in its own right. Land on the southern edge of the common was generously donated by William Legge, the 5th Earl of Dartmouth. He laid the foundation stone on October 26, 1857, marking the start of a new chapter for the community. Just a year later, on All Saints’ Day, November 1, 1858, the Bishop of London consecrated All Saints’ Blackheath. The church, designed by the renowned architect Benjamin Ferrey, became a reality. Interestingly, Ferrey’s design, though rooted in the Gothic Revival style, was already considered somewhat “old-fashioned” by some at the time. Nevertheless, All Saints’ Blackheath, built with Kentish ragstone and adorned with a spire on its southwest corner, became a beloved landmark. It stands as a testament to the community’s faith and the architectural trends of its time.
Центральный дом работников искусств
Step through the grand wooden doors of the Central House of the Workers of Art, and you’ll be transported to