Have you ever wondered what happens to a church after 170 years? St. Stephen’s Parish Church, on the corner of Uxbridge Road and Coverdale Road, has seen it all. From its grand opening in 1850 to today, this Church of England parish church has witnessed the changing face of Shepherds Bush. St. Stephen’s was designed in the popular Gothic Revival style by renowned architect Anthony Salvin. He also designed many other churches and grand houses.
Standing here, imagine the bustle of the late nineteenth century. Back then, this neighbourhood was a vibrant mix of grand homes and prosperous farms. The church stood proudly amidst fields and orchards, a beacon for the growing population. It even had a spire that towered 150 feet above the rooftops.
St. Stephen’s played a significant role in the community. Its doors opened to the so-called Windrush Generation, welcoming immigrants from the West Indies who settled in Shepherds Bush in the 1950s. The church also provided refuge and support to those in need. In the 1960s, Reverend John Asbridge established the Shepherds Bush Housing Association right here, using the church’s very own choir vestry as an office.
Sadly, during World War II, a bomb shattered the peaceful setting. St. Stephen’s spire was destroyed, and many of its beautiful stained-glass windows went up in flames. The church was brought to its knees, but the community wouldn’t let it fall.
They rebuilt and restored the church. While the spire was replaced with a lower, octagonal copper flèche, the spirit of St. Stephen’s lives on. Despite its turbulent past, the church still plays a vital role in Shepherds Bush today. It provides a diverse community with a space to worship, find solace, and connect. St. Stephen’s lives on, standing as a testament to faith, resilience, and the enduring bonds of community.