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St Michael-at-Bowes was consecrated on 7th June, 1988. For 100yrs worshippers had met in the Victorian Church. But 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 Wood Green Parish in 1982. The old church was closed on 29th September, 1986 and demolished the following year.
The new church and hall took 2yrs 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 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 Bp Graham Leonard on 9th July, 1970. The School was opened and dedicated on 24th March 1972 by Bp Alan Rogers.