How could a nave collapse reshape a church? I am standing before St Mary’s Church, Twickenham also known as St Mary the Virgin. It is more than just a building. It is a testament to resilience and reinvention.
St Mary’s Church, Twickenham is a Grade II listed Church of England place. It is a point of worship dedicated to Saint Mary the Virgin. You will find it on Church Street, Twickenham. The church is not far from York House and the River Thames. It stands opposite Eel Pie Island.
Let’s journey back in time to the early 18th century. The year is 1713. The ancient church stood strong. But on April 9th disaster struck. The 14th-century nave collapsed. This event could have spelled the end for St Mary’s. But instead it marked the beginning of a new chapter.
Godfrey Kneller was a churchwarden at the time. He helped plan the reconstruction. The plans were for a Neo-classical style. Local architect John James designed it. Lady Wentworth wrote about it. She said that a new vicar Dr Pratt saw it coming.
Dr Pratt insisted a tabernacle be erected in the churchyard. This was before the collapse. He preached there and exhorted all to give thanks. He wanted them to thank God for their great deliverance. He said the church could have fallen when they were in it. The people all laughed at him. But in a week’s time it fell to the ground. So all the parish contributed to rebuilding it.
The new St Mary’s incorporated the 15th-century medieval tower. Inside the 18th-century church some older monuments survived. They came from the medieval nave. One is a brass to Richard Burton. He was the King’s chief cook. It is dated 1443.
Inside St Mary’s, fine monuments honor notable figures. They include Lady Margaret Wildman. Sir Chaloner Ogle and Alexander Pope are also remembered here.
In 1721 Dr Pratt baptised James Shandayes and John Twogood. They were described as two Indian princes. Hallam Tennyson, son of the poet Alfred, Lord Tennyson, was christened here in 1852.
The 18th-century nave is red brick. It features Tuscan pilasters and pediments. The church was enlarged in 1754. It contains fittings from the same period. The tower has eight bells. One dates from the early 16th century.
Originally, St Mary’s served as the parish church for all of Twickenham. Housing development led to new parishes. St Mary’s parish became smaller. But it still takes in most of central Twickenham.
Many significant figures are buried here. Sir William Berkeley, Governor of Virginia was buried in the crypt. Alexander Pope rests under a stone slab marked with a simple P. The actress Kitty Clive was buried in the churchyard. Thomas Twining, the tea merchant also rests here.
The funeral of Neil Aspinall took place at St Mary’s in 2008. He was head of The Beatles’ company Apple Corps.
The church is featured in Osmund Caine’s painting. It is called Wedding at Twickenham Parish Church.
Today St Mary’s stands as a symbol of faith. It represents community and architectural beauty. Its history is etched in its walls and monuments. The collapse of the nave did not destroy St Mary’s. It paved the way for a new chapter. It is a story of rebirth. It is a story of St Mary’s.