Nominal: 1638 Hz Weight: 212 lbs Diameter: 20.13" Bell 1 of 1
Founded by Gillett & Johnston 1948
Dove Bell ID: 57675 Tower ID: 22149 - View Tower Listed: No Canons: Removed Cracked: No
Mitcham: St Mark
Overview
Grid reference: TQ 281 691
The parish of Mitcham was divided in 1890 and this part had a Mission Church which met in the local school hall. Mr. R.M. Chart was appointed the architect to prepare designs for a new church whose foundation stone was laid by Lord Ashcombe in 1898. The nave and aisles were dedicated in March of 1899; but the chancel was not finished until 1910. In September 1940 the church was badly damaged by a landmine and it remained derelict and unfit for public worship, until it was repaired and then rededicated by the Bishop of Southwark in 1950.
Visiting and facilities
Building is open for worship
Building
Ground Plan Description and Dimensions
Ground plan:
Aisled nave with baptistry at the west end; chancel; north porch; south Lady Chapel; north transept and organ chamber; bell-cote with spirelet over nave.
Description of Archaeology and History
The parish of Mitcham was divided in 1890 and this part had a Mission Church which met in the local school hall. Mr. R.M. Chart was appointed the architect to prepare designs for a new church whose foundation stone was laid by Lord Ashcombe in 1898. The nave and aisles were dedicated in March of 1899; but the chancel was not finished until 1910. In September 1940 the church was badly damaged by a landmine and it remained derelict and unfit for public worship, tntil it was repaired and then rededicated by the Bishop of Southwarkin 1950.
Exterior Description
The many windows of this church, all Early English lancet style, make the interior quite bright, but render the exterior fairly plain. There is very little stonework amongst the red brick, apart from the copings and some windows.
At the west end is the three gabled baptistry that has blind arcading running underneath the three windows - the only feature of brick ornamentation on the exterior. Above the baptistry are five stepped windows with brick hood moulding. The aisles have pairs of recessed windows. The south aisle contains five pairs that are divided by plain brick buttresses. At the east end of the south aisle is a brick wall that cuts off one more window and an arched doorway. The pattern is repeated in the north aisle, but there is no dividing wall, and at the west end is the gabled porch.
Each clerestory wall contains six groups of three small windows, the groups divided by flat pilaster strips.
The south chapel has two gables and beneath each are three stepped lancets. Shallow buttresses clasp the corners and there is a set-off buttress between the two groups of lancets. There are three more windows of equal height in the east wall of the south chapel. The north transept has more varied openings: its west wide has three small windows. In the north wall, above three more small windows are three larger, stepped windows with stone mullions, weatherings and cills. They are ornamented by four turned columns that have moulded capitals.
A gabled chimney rises from the east side of the transept above the vestry, which has four windows to the east and a doorway and two windows to the north. The east end of the chancel has five stepped lancets, framed with stonework and divided by columns similar to those of the north windows of the north transept. There is a foundation stone dated 1910 below the east chancel windows.
Building Fabric and Features
Stained Glass
1950
The east window of the chancel contains Christ Ascended with Mary in the light on the left and Mark in the light on the right. Christ has his feet on a globe above a city of domes and towers. Below that, the centre light contains a small portrayal of the Crucifixion. Abbve Mary is the winged man symbol of St. Matthew and below her is the eagle of St. John. Above Mark is the lion and below is the winged bull. The light on the far left contains Christ on the shore with the fishermen, and John the Baptist baptising Christ. The light on the far right contains the Transfiguration, and Christ rising from the tomb between two sleeping soldiers. Apart from the central light, each lancet contains a shield at the bottom. By Lawrence Lee.
Stained Glass
1950
The east window of the south chapel has three lights containing St. John and St. Mark; the Virgin Mary and the baby Jesus; and St. George. Above the Virgin Mary is an armoured tank within a laurel wreath and surmounted by a crown. The window is in memory of R.J. Hubbard who died in 1939, aged 23 years. By Lawrence Lee.
Interior
Interior Description
Of the many windows, only those at the east end of chancel and Lady Chapel are filled with stained glass, consequently the interior is bright. The walls are of brick and the columns of the arcades are of stone. The nave arcades have porgonal columns with plain moulded capitals and round columns with stiff leaf capitals, alternately. There are three arches at the west end, behind which lies the shallow baptistry, containing a stone font. Towards the east end, a finely carved dark wood pulpit and low screen divide the nave from the long chancel, to the south of which is the Lady Chapel. The nave has a tie-beam king post roof. Between the collar and tie beam is a decorative, rather than functional, five-cusped design.
Fixtures and fittings
Altar
The High Altar is a wooden table. On it is a plain wooden cross, and a tall wooden candlestick stands on the floor each side of it.
Chair
Behind the altar is a Sanctuary chair, its top rail and finials carved with leaves and grapes.
Altar
The Lady Chapel has a carved wooden altar. On it, in Gothic script, is written "Hail Mary Full of Grace The Lord Is With Thee".
Reredos
The carved wooden reredos behind the Lady Chapel altar has three silk lined panels. The cresting is finely carved.
Reredos
The reredos is of the same dark wood that has been used for the pulpit and chancel screen.
Pulpit
1910
The pulpit is ornately carved. Round the top of the pulpit is the date and text "A.D.1910. Be ye doers of the Word and not hearers believing your own selves". The solid panels have blind Perpendicular tracery. At the corner that faces into the nave is a statue of St.Mark with a lion at his feet. There is a canopy above his head.
Screen
From the pulpit the low chancel screen extends. It is solid and has pairs of cusped headed panels. Tiny flower heads are carved at the two lowest cusp points of each panel. Above the panelling is carved a text in Gothic script which reads "Who shall ascend into the hill of the Lord or who shall rise up in His Holy place Even he that hath clean hands and a pure heart".
Lectern
The lectern is a brass eagle, its head thrown further up than usual. The pedestal is plain.
Font (object)
The font is an octagonal stone bowl set on four clustered columns with leaf capitals.
Organ (object)
The organ was put in as a War memorial in 1947. It was probably bought second-handat that time. It has two manuals. The builder is not known.
Bells
Churchyard
Grid reference: TQ 281 691
Burial and War Grave Information
It is unknown whether the building is consecrated.
It is unknown whether the churchyard has been used for burial.
It is unknown whether the churchyard is used for burial.
It is unknown whether the churchyard has war graves.
National Heritage record for England designations
There are no records of National Heritage assets within the curtilage of this site.
Environment
Ancient, Veteran & Notable Trees
Caring for God's Acre is a conservation charity working to support groups and individuals to investigate, care for, and enjoy the wildlife and heritage treasures found within churchyards and other burial grounds. Look on their website for information and advice and please contact their staff directly. They can help you manage this churchyard for people and wildlife.
To learn more about all the species recorded against this church, go to the Burial Ground Portal within the NBN Atlas. You can check the spread of records through the years, discovering what has been recorded and when, plus what discoveries might remain to be uncovered.
There are no records of Ancient, Veteran or Notable Trees within the curtilage of this site.
Renewables
| Renewable | Installed |
|---|---|
| Solar PV Panels | No |
| Solar Thermal Panels | No |
| Biomass | No |
| Wind Turbine | No |
| Air Source Heat Pump | No |
| Ground Source Heat Pump | No |
| Ev Charging | No |
Species summary
There are no records of species within the curtilage of this site.
Caring for God's Acre is a conservation charity working to support groups and individuals to investigate, care for, and enjoy the wildlife and heritage treasures found within churchyards and other burial grounds. Look on their website for information and advice and please contact their staff directly. They can help you manage this churchyard for people and wildlife.
To learn more about all the species recorded against this church, go to the Burial Ground Portal within the NBN Atlas. You can check the spread of records through the years, discovering what has been recorded and when, plus what discoveries might remain to be uncovered.
'Seek advice' Species
More information on species and action to be taken upon discovery.
Caring for God's Acre is a conservation charity working to support groups and individuals to investigate, care for, and enjoy the wildlife and heritage treasures found within churchyards and other burial grounds. Look on their website for information and advice and please contact their staff directly. They can help you manage this churchyard for people and wildlife.
To learn more about all the species recorded against this church, go to the Burial Ground Portal within the NBN Atlas. You can check the spread of records through the years, discovering what has been recorded and when, plus what discoveries might remain to be uncovered.
Further information
Quinquennial Inspections
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