St Saviour Chalk Farm

Parish History

In the mid-19th Century, London was spreading from the central areas to the north-west, and the Chalcot Estate, part of the endowment bestowed on Eton College by King Henry VIth, was undergoing development.  Local records note that by 1848, part of Provost Road and Eton Villas had been filled by speculative builders with 'highly delightful detached and semi-detached villas'.  However, it was thought that the absence of a church was 'to the disadvantage of the neighbourhood by keeping families away, who would otherwise be disposed to reside here'.

In 1846 Eton College offered a site on a triangle of free land bordered by Provost Road, Eton Villas and Eton Road.  In the following year a group of local interested parties agreed that a church should be built on it and dedicated to St. Saviour.  In 1848, a temporary structure was erected on a site close by, which was used for worship until the present building was completed and consecrated eight years later in 1856.  The architect was Mr. Edward M. Barry (son of the more famous Sir Charles Barry).  His design was for a building constructed of Kentish ragstone in the Early English style.  At first it was without a spire, but this was added - when funds permitted in 1864. 

The area of St. Saviour's parish was carved out of the territory of the 'mother-church' of the area - St. John-at-Hampstead - and originally covered a wide area of south Hampstead.  However, as other churches were built in the area in succeeding years, the extent of St. Saviour's parish was reduced to its much smaller size. 

In the 1960s, the church's large rambling Victorian vicarage was sold, and the present vicarage and church hall were both built in modern style within the 'church triangle'.   

We gratefully acknowledge receipt of an English Heritage grant that allowed us to make necessary repairs to the church.  

Public worship services are once again suspended until further notice, but the church is open
for individual prayer Tuesday to Saturday 10:30 - 11:30 am, Sunday 2:00 - 3:00 pm
and Morning Prayer Tuesday to Friday at 8:15 am, Saturday 9:30 am.

Note: The church is dedicated to our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ, there is no saint called Saviour.

 

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