St. Paul’s, Winchmore Hill

You wouldn’t believe how grand this church was originally, but it wasn’t built all at once. In the early 19th century, it all started as a chapel-of-ease. It was meant to be a simple addition to All Saints, Edmonton, serving the fast-growing community of Winchmore Hill. But then, something extraordinary happened. St. Paul’s Church, as we know it today, was designed as one of the “Waterloo churches.” These were built after the Napoleonic Wars, with the donations of wealthy people wanting to celebrate their victory. That generous donation came from Walker Gray, the owner of the Grovelands estate. St. Paul’s stands proudly on his land, with its grand, plasterwork ceiling, said to be the largest unsupported expanse in Europe until the 1960s. It’s hard to imagine now, because a renovation cleverly added the concealed supports, but this building is truly a monument to time. You can even find the Garden of Rest, a small, peaceful space where the cremated remains are buried behind the church. It was set apart for this purpose in 1961. And that wasn’t the only change. The area where the cars park today used to be home to the St. Paul’s Church of England School. It moved into new premises in 1961, making way for the present church hall, which was opened in 1966. Then, the curate’s house, St. Paul’s Lodge, was added in 1967. Even the vicarage, built in 1913, tells a story of generosity. It was built using land donated by Sir William Paulin. The history of St. Paul’s is rich with tales of growth, renovation, and remarkable generosity, making it an enduring landmark of Winchmore Hill.