Wimbledon Congregational Church

The new church building opened in 1957. It is typical building of that era, admired by members of the 20th Century Society. The roof is a tabernacle shape like a tent, showing the Christians should always move on.

In 1953 the church received a gift of £5000 from the sale of Merton Congregational Church. The first set of plans were refused by Wimbledon District Council, therefore the deacons visited a church in Bromley which was like the one they planned to build.

In the 1957 Minute Book it says that they wanted the church to be multi purpose with a cross on the wall. The pulpit and seating must be modern. The minutes said that ‘we must be prepared to experiment and adapt ourselves to the changes taking place but that the ultimate objectives and ideals for which we stand must remain unchanged’.

At the church meeting in May 1955 it was agreed that the new church would be built. In 1956 drawings were put in the hall so that everyone could see them. It was estimated that the new church would cost £8008 to build plus £310 for 200 chairs. Because of lack of money in January 1957 people wondered whether to go ahead with the new building. The opening hymn at the decisive meeting was ‘The Church’s One Foundation Is Jesus Christ Her Lord’. After singing this various members promised money.

The new building contract was signed on February 1st1957 and work started. The foundation stone was laid on April 6th 1957. This was advertised in the ‘Borough News’. Girls from the Sunday School presented bouquets. Before the church was officially opened it was decided to paint the roof blue. The Sunday School gave a gift of £10 for a new organ stool. Furniture for the new church was ordered from the catalogue of Harper Wycombe Ltd. This included a communion table and chairs to match. At the same time copies of Congregational Praise were ordered for the church.