“Built in 1876-7” is etched above the door of The Church of The Holy Innocents. This sacred space stands on the corner of Tottenham Lane and Rokesley Avenue. Today we will delve into its history. We will explore its architecture and discover the stories within its walls.
The Church of The Holy Innocents owes its existence to a growing population. In Victorian times, church attendance was a cornerstone of family life. As the green fields of Hornsey transformed into Victorian terraced houses, congregations flourished. By the early 20th century, over 1100 people attended The Church of The Holy Innocents each Sunday.
Originally, The Church of The Holy Innocents was built as a mission hall. It was a gift from the Gamlin Family. The mission hall once stood where Hornsey Girls’ School is today, in Hornsey Vale. It served as an overflow, meeting the spiritual needs of the parish residents. Besides services, the mission hall hosted a Sunday school. Various parochial activities took place in the main church building.
Arthur Blomfield designed The Church of The Holy Innocents. Nicholas Pevsner, a British architecture authority, knew Blomfield. He considered The Church of The Holy Innocents one of Blomfield’s less refined yet more masculine designs. Despite its plain exterior, visitors often find the interior welcoming and decorative.
Entering The Church of The Holy Innocents, your eyes are immediately drawn to the large stained-glass window at the East end. It was a gift from the widow of Peter Robinson. He was the founder of the famous Oxford Street store. The window depicts scenes from the life of Christ. Above it, a round window showcases the four archangels.
To the right of the sanctuary, you will find the original organ and an altar dedicated to Our Lady. This altar is used during special masses associated with Mary, the Mother of God. The organ, with its two manuals, once provided a rich tone. Two war memorials also stand here. One commemorates those who lost their lives during the Second World War. The larger memorial dominates the East End wall.
In 2001, Ursula Reines created a screen displaying the four apostles and scenes from the Nativity and Resurrection. Behind the main altar is an alabaster painting of Christ in Glory by an unknown artist.
On the north side of The Church of The Holy Innocents is the Lady Chapel. Mid-week services often take place here. A wooden and glass screen separates it from the main church. It was built to mark the church’s 50th anniversary. The stained-glass window in the Lady Chapel depicts Faith, Hope, and Charity. The wooden chairs bear names, in memory of relatives and friends. A statue dedicated to Our Lady of Walsingham stands in the Lady Chapel, reflecting the church’s long association with it.
Near the Lady Chapel, a small altar commemorates deceased friends and relatives. Stations of the Cross line the walls, a Catholic devotion that recalls the Passion of Christ.
At the West end of The Church of The Holy Innocents stands the font. St Nicolas Parish Church in Great Wakering, Essex, gifted it to the church. Interestingly, the font was built in 1877, the same year The Church of The Holy Innocents was dedicated. Dominating the West wall is a network of organ pipes. The Rieger-Kloss Krnov organ came from a church in Toronto, Canada. Mrs Dagmar Kopecki originally bought it in 1964 for her studio.
Other notable objects include a Black Madonna dedicated to the Shrine of Our Lady and a Crucifix outside. As we conclude our visit to The Church of The Holy Innocents remember the stories these walls hold. From its origins as a mission hall to its architectural details and sacred art, it reflects faith. It embodies community and history.