Can you imagine a man so devout he’d face a king’s wrath? Right here, at St John Fisher, we remember such a man. St John Fisher was more than just a church; it stands as a testament to Bishop John Fisher, a man of unwavering faith. St John Fisher, the building, echoes the spirit of the man who defied Henry VIII. John Fisher, the bishop, was a scholar, a theologian, and eventually, a saint. Born in 1469, his life intertwined with royalty and academia. He served as confessor to Lady Margaret Beaufort, Henry VII’s mother, and became Chancellor of Cambridge University. His influence shaped the university, attracting scholars and fostering a renewed focus on learning. But his loyalty to the Catholic Church clashed with Henry VIII’s ambitions. Fisher vehemently opposed Henry’s divorce from Catherine of Aragon and refused to acknowledge him as the Supreme Head of the Church of England. This defiance landed him in the Tower of London. Even imprisoned, he remained resolute. In a final act of defiance, he was made a cardinal by Pope Paul III. This enraged Henry, who ensured Fisher never wore his cardinal’s hat. On June 22, 1535, right here in London, John Fisher was beheaded. His last words were a prayer for his king and realm. His head, displayed on London Bridge, was eventually thrown into the Thames, replaced by that of his friend, Sir Thomas More, who shared his fate. St John Fisher Church stands as a tribute to his courage and a symbol of his unwavering faith.
Southfields Methodist Church
Curiosity stirred within the heart of Southfields as a new chapter began. Southfields Methodist Church held its first public service