Battersea St Marys Church

St Mary's Church in Battersea is the oldest church in the area. It has a long history of Christian worship, dating back to around 800 AD, and is a Grade I listed building recognized for its historical and architectural significance.

As one of the earliest Christian sites south of the Thames, St Mary's began as a church in 800 AD; however, the building that stands today was completed in 1777 and was designed by local architect Joseph Dixon. Built primarily of brick with stone detailing, the church features a rectangular nave, a sanctuary in the apse at the east end, and a west tower. The entrance porch on the west front has Tuscan columns and a pediment, and the tower behind it is topped with a clock chamber and a small spire. Inside, the church has a flat ceiling spanning the entire width, with wooden galleries on three sides supported by columns.

One of the standout pieces in the church is a modern triptych in the side chapel, painted by John Napper in 1946. It portrays the Annunciation, with Battersea Park and the iconic Battersea Power Station as a backdrop. The piece also includes scenes of Christ walking on the Thames and Lazarus rising beneath the church porch. The church's organ, crafted by Saxon Aldred in 1993, features a carved ram, a nod to the historic Ram Brewery.

St Mary's has strong art and literature connections. The poet and artist William Blake married Catherine Boucher here in 1782, and the famous painter J. M. W. Turner once captured views of the river from the vestry window.

Inside the sanctuary, the east window dates back to 1379, while the painted glass from 1631 features portraits of Henry VII, Margaret Beaufort, and Queen Elizabeth I. Two windows, known as the Dove and Lamb windows, were created by James Pearson in 1796 but were restored in 1946 after being damaged by a V1 bomb in 1944. At the back of the church is a terracotta War Memorial by Freda Skinner, depicting the Angel of Sacrifice guarding the Gate of Life. The glass doors to the Vestry, added in 2008, were engraved by Sally Scott. The church is also home to four windows designed by John Hayward between 1976 and 1982, each dedicated to notable figures associated with the church. The Blake Window includes a portrait of William Blake alongside figures representing Innocence and Experience. The window also features Blake's signature from the marriage register and drawings by him and his wife. The Turner Window, donated by The Morgan Crucible Company, commemorates Turner's visits to the church to paint.

Meanwhile, the Curtis Window honours botanist William Curtis, who is buried in the churchyard. It includes plants from his renowned "Flora Londinensis" and emblems from the Royal Horticultural Society and the Linnean Society. Lastly, the Arnold Window features a portrait of Benedict Arnold. It includes symbols of American and British flags, representing Arnold's role in the American War of Independence and his subsequent allegiance to the British Army.

St Mary's Church is not just a place of worship but a rich tapestry of history, art, and community, with deep connections to some of the most significant figures in British culture.