Grayswood Church

All Saints Church, Grayswood
James Mackie

A short history

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Front cover: Pen & ink drawing of All Saints Church Grayswood, by Simon Mackie

Paperback - 166 pages
JCS Mackie; October 2014

Foreword . Contents . Further information

Foreword

"Surrey never ceases to surprise. Just when you think you've got it summed up something turns up to make you re-think. Who would have expected to find in a pleasant but not otherwise outstanding village a church built by a Swedish naval architect?"

So wrote a passing journalist in 1992. He went inside and found that an exhibition was being held to celebrate the 90th anniversary of the church's foundation. He said this was well worth visiting because it demonstrated vividly how the parish church formed the social centre of a small community.

This short history attempts to describe how this unusual church was built, and how it has come to play such an important and central part in the village. It should show that every artefact and practically every stone tells a story. Nothing is there by chance. However, the church is more than bricks and mortar. All Saints Church, Grayswood, has been maintained not only as an edifice, but as a centre of social and charitable Christian life by the enthusiasm and dedication of the people, laity and clergy who have served and supported it. Some of these are mentioned, but there are many more who are not, and many to whom it has not been possible to do full justice.

To continue through its second century this church must depend on still more dedication and hard work. The parishioners give their support because they know they are working for something that is a centre of excellence. The beauty of the building has had much to do with creating this awareness.

Contents

Chapter 1: Grayswood Before the Church
Chapter 2: The Formation of the Parish
Chapter 3: The building of the Church 1901
Chapter 4: The Consecration 1902
Chapter 5: The Carvings, Stained Glass & Murals
Chapter 6: The Rev J.S. Leake, 1901-1929
Chapter 7: The Rev R.P. Bond, 1929-1936
Chapter 8: The Rev F.C. Roberts, 1936-1960
Crockford's Cottage, by Isabella
Chapter 9: The Rev L.G. Ouvry, 1961-1973
Chapter 10: Interregnum, 1974
Chapter 11: The Rev Geoffrey Curtis, 1975-1985
Chapter 12: The Rev Geoffrey Tickner, 1985-1990
Chapter 13: The Rev Jonathan Shaw, 1990-1999
Chapter 14: Interregnum, Sept 1999-June 2000
Chapter 15: The Rev Kate Atkinson, 2000-2003
For all the Saints, by Eric Thomson
Chapter 16: The Rev Barbara Steele-Perkins 2003
Chapter 17: The Way Ahead
Appendix 1: Boundaries of Grayswood Parish
Appendix 2: A Guide to the Church
Appendix 3: Statement of Significance

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