Rebirth
of an ancient place of worship
St. Mary's Tower – Hornsey
The Tower is a familiar sight in Hornsey High Street. It has been
there since 1500 and was an active place of worship until the late
19th century. On Sunday 3rd October 2004, it is going to open its
doors again.
On the day that the Church of England keeps as the Feast of Dedication,
St Mary’s Tower will, once again, offer a place of worship to
those living at the eastern end of the Parish of Hornsey.
Open to everyone
It is important that there is a centre of worship in the midst
of every community. Somewhere where people can find time for
reflection and seek the love of God.
At first the Tower will only be open once a week for worship, with
the clergy and congregation of the Parish Church, St Mary with St
George, taking the services. However as the Tower finds its place
once again as the worship centre for the eastern end of the parish,
we do hope that local members of the congregation will help to make
the opening hours more frequent.
The spirit of St Mary with St George is one of fellowship, community
and worship. The congregation is broad and varied, yet everyone
contributes to the life of the church. We hope and pray that the
Tower will become as vital.
A surviving legacy
St Mary's Church has been in Hornsey since 1300. The Tower was
completed around 1500 and then heightened in 1832 when the medieval
church was rebuilt. In 1927 the church was taken down but the tower,
fortunately, was left intact. The tower and the graveyard are now
the only surviving parts of the ancient church.
To find out more
If you would like to know more about the Tower, the parish or the
services, please call Father Stephen Taylor on 0208 340 1489.
If you would like to know more about the history of the tower please
visit the website shown below which gives more details about the
tower itself and the Freinds of the Tower who have been responsible
for its upkeep.
http://www.communigate.co.uk/london/fohct/index.phtml