Perhaps you’ve noticed the quiet dignity of St Helier Congregational Church. This church grew alongside Morden in the late 1920s. Morden was once a country village. Fields and leafy lanes surrounded it. The population was less than 2000 people.
Let’s step back in time. Imagine Morden before the boom. The Ravensbury Chapel was the first church here. It was part of Ravensbury Manor’s stable block. This all changed rapidly.
In 1926 the Northern Line extended to Morden. Two years later the St Helier estate was built. This caused a population explosion. The village churches couldn’t handle the sudden increase. Morden’s population jumped from 1900 to over 30000 in just three years. This happened between 1928 and 1935.
The London County Council designed the St Helier estate. It was meant to house people from crowded inner London areas. The estate was named after Lady St Helier. She fought for better housing for poor Londoners. Sadly, she died in 1931. She didn’t see the finished estate.
New churches were essential. Old parish boundaries were redefined. This catered to the population boom. St Peter’s parish was created. It included parts of Morden, Sutton, and Carshalton. Ravensbury Chapel was also included. St George’s Church opened in 1932. It was the first daughter church of Morden parish. The wooden building was consecrated as a church in 1938. The Bishop of Woolwich did the honors.
Development continued after the war. This led to the complex we see today. The brick building was built as a hall in 1935. Later the roles reversed. The wooden church became the hall. The brick building was used for Sunday services. A new structure linked the two buildings. It included an entrance lobby a lounge and a kitchen. The Bishop of Southwark dedicated these buildings on June 22 1976.
St George’s was run by curates. These were trainee vicars from St Lawrence church. In the 1980s it got its own vicar. The parish became a team. It consisted of St Lawrence, Emmanuel St Martin’s and St George’s Church. Bill Muncey was the first vicar. The church has had four vicars in total.
The church has always focused on the local community. Outreach and Bible teaching are important. The Ark Toddler Group has been running for over 30 years.
Jean Wilson recalled the day war broke out. She was in St George’s church. She remembered triumphs and disappointments. She also thought of house parties and missions. Some couldn’t find their coach home after the Billy Graham crusades. Others found Christ. She also recalled her loneliest Christmas. She peeled and roasted 24lbs of potatoes. This allowed the old people on the estate to have Christmas dinner.
Revd Ken White remembered the kindness of the people at St George’s. He thought of the young people. They kept him busy. He was concerned about their jiving to an old wind-up gramophone.
A diocesan official once said the church had a small heart but a good one. This was when grants were discussed for redeveloping St George’s. At the time they worshiped in the wooden hut. It was hot in summer. In winter only the top of your head got singed by the overhead heaters.
Revd Nicholas Wall was told the task was a killer. He found people of considerable Christian stature. They proved God’s grace in their lives and in the church. He found people enjoying their faith.
So, as you pass St Helier Congregational Church remember its story. It is a story of growth community and faith. It’s a testament to the people who built it and sustained it through the years.