Craving a story of resilience? Then listen to the tale of St Michael’s Fulwell. St Michael’s Fulwell stands on Wilcox Road. It is a Grade II listed Church of England church. It is located in Fulwell, a neighbourhood of Teddington. The church’s story is one of building, closure, and rebirth.
Founded in 1913, St Michael’s Fulwell reflects a blend of architectural styles. J S Adkins designed St Michael’s Fulwell. The design combines Gothic Revival, Perpendicular, and Arts and Crafts influences. Adkins worked on many church buildings. St Michael’s is his unique sole work.
Time moves on and in the 1980s changes were made. The rear section of the nave was separated off. This created a balcony and meeting room. A downstairs kitchen and entrance were added. Storage areas were also created.
In March 1990, the parish united with St Peter & St Paul Teddington. A chapter of decline followed for St Michael’s Fulwell.
November 2000 marked a sad day. St Michael’s closed. Interior fittings were removed. The vicarage was sold. The building lay disused for 15 years. Its future was uncertain.
But the story does not end there. In 2015, St Michael’s Fulwell experienced a remarkable reopening. A team from St Peter’s Fulham led the effort. They were joined by locals from Teddington, Twickenham and Hampton. The Bishop of Kensington invited Revd Ed Kendall to re-establish a congregation.
The church relaunched Sunday services in January 2015. The vision was to rebuild a gospel-centred community. Soon after, an evening service was added. The side-chapel and side-rooms were refurbished.
In 2016, the spaces proved too small. A temporary indoor marquee was put up in the main part of the church. This provided a meeting space that retained some heat during winter.
The “Regenerate” project launched in 2017. The aim was to refurbish the rest of the building. Four years of fundraising and design work followed.
In 2019, the Parish of St Michael & St George Fulwell was reinstated. It was separated from St Peter & St Paul Teddington.
Major building works took place from August 2021 to July 2022. During this time, the congregation met at St Peter & St Paul Teddington.
A Service of Thanksgiving was held on October 13, 2022. The Bishop of Islington led prayers of rededication.
Today, St Michael’s Fulwell is active. The church meets on Sundays for family services. Informal evening services are also held.
St Michael’s Fulwell stands as a testament to faith and community. It overcame closure to become a place of worship once more. It is a welcoming space for all seeking connection and spiritual growth in the heart of Fulwell.