Reverend William McGuiness’s ambition sparked All Saints, Shooters Hill. In 1867, he started preaching in a tent. It stood where the old fire station now stands. This marked the humble beginning of All Saints.
Soon after, in 1868, a tin church appeared. It sat on the corner of Cantwell Road and Eglinton Hill. Imagine the small but dedicated congregation gathering there each week. This was their first real church building.
Then, in 1872, a church school opened. It was built on the site where All Saints, Shooters Hill stands today. Education and faith were intertwined from the start. The community was growing.
But Reverend McGuiness had bigger dreams. He wanted a proper church. So, he wrote ten thousand letters each year. For years, he tirelessly raised money. He needed £9000. Finally, he collected enough. In 1881, a new church was completed. It stood on the corner of Cantwell Road and Ripon Road.
All Saints, Shooters Hill became a parish soon after. It served faithfully until disaster struck in 1944. Bombs destroyed the church during the war. The congregation was devastated.
For a time, they worshipped in temporary locations. First, it was an iron building on Cantwell Road. Then, they met in the church hall. It was opposite the Post Office in Herbert Road. These were difficult times for All Saints, Shooters Hill.
However, the community was resilient. They were determined to rebuild. They collected money again. Eventually, they had enough. A new All Saints, Shooters Hill was built. It was on the site of the old school. The church opened on 6 July 1957.
Today, All Saints, Shooters Hill continues to serve its community. Services are held every Sunday at 10:30 am. If you cannot attend in person, a pre-recorded version is available on YouTube. The church also hosts prayer meetings and bible studies on Zoom. These online gatherings connect people near and far.
In 1919, All Saints, Shooters Hill added stained glass windows. They also added tablets. These served as war memorials. They honored those who sacrificed their lives. These memorials offered a place for remembrance.
All Saints, Shooters Hill stands as a testament to faith. It is a story of perseverance. It began with a tent and grew into a vibrant community. From its humble beginnings to its wartime struggles and eventual rebirth, All Saints, Shooters Hill continues to be a beacon of hope and a center for spiritual growth.