Wood Green

 

The consecration of the St Michael-at-Bowes was held on 7th June, 1988. For 100 years worshippers had met in the Victorian Church. But it had had its day, and for all its fine architecture, damp, cold and finally dry rot had all done their worst.
There is evidence of a tiny village of Bowes dating back to the C12th. Until the building of the Weld Chapel on Southgate Green in 1615 and the coming of St. Michael, Wood Green in 1844, the Mother Churches of Bowes where people were expected to worship, were All Saints, Edmonton, and All Hallows, Tottenham.

The original church stood on its present site, built on the estate of Bowes Manor, home of Alderman Thomas Sidney (once Lord Mayor of London), who financed practically the whole enterprise - as he had already at St. Michael, Wood Green. The foundation stone was laid on 28th October 1872, and the building consecrated on 21st April 1874. It was a fine church, designed by Sir Gilbert Scott in the Gothic Revival style.

The Church came part of the newly formed Wood Green Parish & Team Ministry in 1982.
With the arrival of Fr John Broadhurst (curate of Bowes 1966-70), as Team Rector in 1985, the decision was made to declare the church redundant, demolish and redevelop. The old church was closed on 29th September, 1986 and demolished the following year. The congregation meanwhile worshipped in the nearby Methodist Hall.
The new church and hall took two years to complete. The foundation stone (the original from the old Church), was laid on 19th Nov. 1987. The church was consecrated for worship on 7th June, 1988. The old bell was re-hung, the alabaster altar piece was restored practically in its original position, and the marble reredos was used to provide the new altar, lectern, font and credence table. A new cross was designed and painted by Francis Stephens to hang on the wall behind the altar, and new statues of Michael and the Blessed Virgin Mary made by Sigfried Pietsch.

St Michael-at-Bowes School has always played an important part in parish life. The old building in Tottenhall Road had had its day and a new Foundation Stone for a new building was laid and blessed by Bishop Graham Leonard of Willesden on 9th July, 1970. The School was opened and dedicated on 24th March 1972 by Bishop Alan Rogers of Edmonton.

We have recently introduced a totally new lighting scheme. The old, rather ugly strip lights have all been removed, and replaced by far more attractive hanging globe lights. These are complemented by other spots and floods around the church - especially in the Sanctuary area. The work was carried out by Busby Electrical of Romford. The whole church has also been redecorated - the first time since it was built, and new carpets are to be introduced during 2006.

 

LONDON  U.K.

St Michael-at-Bowes

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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the old church at Bowes (4 images)
in the new church - BVM :
view from Palmerston Road
St Michael (Whittington Rd)
Stephens' work
St Michael