Header
  
Plumstead
 

Plumstead, St Mark


  • Church demolished, formerly single bell 1½ cwt approx.
  • Formerly single bell 1½ cwt approx. transferred to St Mary's, Perth. Church demolished.
  • Grid Ref: TQ451778
  • Denomination: Church of England
    Diocese (Anglican): Southwark


Prior to 1975

Bell Weight
(most recent)
DateFounderRetunedFate
Single bell1½ cwt approx.UnknownNeverTransferred to St Mary's, Perth.

History

1895 A fete was held on the 25 July on the site of the new mission church. The foundation stone of the mission church was laid on 30 November 1895 by the Duchess of Albany. [1] [2]
1901 The foundation stone of the parish church was laid on 26 Oct (according to several local newspaper reports) or 30 Oct (according to the Church of England Yearbook, likely to be in error). [3] [4]
1902 The church was consecrated on 1 Nov (All Saints' Day). [5] [6]
1903 Parish created from St Margaret's and St Nicholas', Plumstead.
1966 Following the decision to demolish the church of St Margaret, a faculty was sought to transfer many of the fittings, including the bells, to the church of St Mark's Plumstead. It is not known if they were put in the tower or just stored, but the towers at St Mark's were rather small. [7]
1974 GPE Southwark Survey (Sept) notes single bell about 1½ cwt and a set of tubular chimes. Church to be demolished by the end of November 1974.
1975 Church demolished as it was expensive to maintain. A new church dedicated to St Mark and St Margaret was built. Demolition was completed in November and the single bell was sent to St Mary's, Perth in 1976.
[1] ST. MARK'S, PLUMSTEAD, FETE. VISIT OF THE DUCHESS OF DEVONSHIRE. The first annual flower show, industrial exhibition, bazaar and fete in connection with St Mark's Mission, was opened on Wednesday afternoon at the site of the new church, in Chesnut road, Plumstead Common. Since the Rev. A. V. Baillie came to the parish at the beginning of the year, at the request of the Bishop of Rochester, to take charge of the Mission at the Slade, much good work has been done, and not the least successful of these is probably the four days fête opened on Wednesday, and which is the first of its kind held in Plumstead. The Duchess of Devonshire had kindly consented to declare the show open on the first day ... The Rev. A. V. Baillie, before calling on the Duchess to declare the fete open, remarked that the parish in which they were placed was the old parish of St. Nicholas, Plumstead, which had grown in population until it now numbered about 30,000 people. They would easily see that it was impossible for one clergyman to minister to that number and six months ago, he Rochester Diocesan Society appointed him, with the consent of Mr. McAllister, to take charge of St. Mark's Mission, to look after 7,000 people. He had the services of Curate at present and would shortly have another. Proper buildings were, however, needed, the old Slade Schools, where the services were held, being quite insufficient, so that on Sundays they were crowded out. (Woolwich Gazette - Fri 27 July 1894)
[2] DUCHESS OF ALBANY AT PLUMSTEAD The Duchess of Albany yesterday afteroon laid the foundation-stone of the new St. Mark's church, Plumstead Common. The streets were crowded with all sorts and conditions of men, women, and children anxious to see the Duchess, and the local volunteers formed a bodyguard of honour. The building will be first used as a mission church, but will ultimately be transformed into a parish church. Mr. R. J. Lovell is the architect, and the edifice will be in the classical style of Sir Christopher Wren's old churches. The ground floor mission hall will seat nearly 700, and the church over 600. It is expected that the building will be ready for use next summer. The Rev, A. V. Baillie, vicar of Plumstead, officiated at the service of the ceremony. (Lloyd's Weekly Newspaper - Sun 01 Dec 1895)
[3] The Lord Bishop of Rochester is to lay the foundation stone of St Mark's Church, Plumstead Common, on Saturday, the 26th of October. Canon Leeke contemplates beginning his duties as mission curate at St Mark's on the following day. At his request there will be no public welcoming. The proposed farewell testimony to the Rev. Dr. J. Hughes is proceeding satisfactorily. (Kentish Independent - Fri 18 Oct 1901)
[4] WOOLWICH RURI-DECANAL CHURCH EXTENSION ASSOCIATION. ANNUAL MEETING AT BLACKHEATH - SPEECH THE SECRETARY FOR WAR ... Considerable progress had also been made with the church St. Mark, Plumstead, the memorial stone of which was laid the Bishop on October 26th. It is hoped that the church will ready for consecration by Midsummer next. The total amount paid or promised from all sources for St Mark's is £3,150, of which £1,650 has been granted by the ASsociation. A large sum is therefore still required for the completion the first portion of the church. (Kentish Mercury - Fri 08 Nov 1901)
[5] St Mark's Church at Plumstead Common, is taking shape, and will soon be a conspicuous object on the edge of the upland. The nave and aisles are coveredin, the roofs being of the waggon-tilt shape, frequently found in old religious edifices, and once more coming into vogue. When complete, St Mark's will be the largest church in the district, with the exception of the Garrison Church of St. George. (Kentish Independent - Fri 04 Apr 1902)
[6] A new church has lately been provided for the rapidly growing suburb of Plumstead. In 1894 the Bishop of Rochester sent the Rev. A. V. Baillie, now Rector of Rugby, to work the new district of St. Mark’s, and a building was begun, of which the Duchess of Albany laid the foundation-stone. The present Vicar of Plumstead is Canon Leeke, an able preacher and organiser. St. Mark’s Church stands near Plumstead Common in a large working-class neighbourhood. The total cost has been over £6OOO. On the 23rd Sunday after Trinity the Bishop of Rochester consecrated the building, his audience including the Mayor of Woolwich and several Aldermen and councillors. (Illustrated London News - Sat 15 Nov 1902)
[7] Faculty (Plumstead St.Margaret) to remove organ, reredos, altar, communion rails and bells from St.Margaret’s to be installed in Saint Mark, Plumstead, as a result of union of two parishes, including 1 photograph, 1966 (Southwark Diocesan records at London Metropolitan Archive Ref. DS/F/0633)



Love's Guide to the Church Bells of Kent Page updated: 13 April 2020