Clissold Park Redux #4: St Mary's
The cache, a 35mm film canister is hidden under small bark pieces and leaves in a small hole in a large tree by the church fence. Although away from the main path, you may be observed, so please keep an eye out for muggles when carrying out your caching activities and make sure you replace the cache correctly and properly concealed - thanks!
Clissold Park is a designated 56 acre community park with with children's playgrounds, sports fields, a bowling green, tennis courts, cafe and some other attractions including terrapins in its lakes. It also comprises remains of the New River and some Capital Ring paths run though the park. See Gallery for Opening Times.
St Mary Newington is an ancient parish created approximately in the year 1561. The Old Church is the only surviving Elizabethan Church in London and one of the oldest in the country to have been built as an Anglican church.
It owes its origins to Stoke Newington’s sixteenth century Lord of the Manor, William Patten. In 1563 he decided to rebuild the old parish church, which had become almost derelict. You can see the date, and the motto ‘ab alto’ (‘from above’) above the main door.
The main surviving structure from Patten’s time is the south aisle which appears to have been designed as a private chapel for himself and his family. The red brickwork on the walls and the arcade separating the chapel from the nave date from Patten’s time.
The Old Church was heavily bombed during the London blitz of October 1940 but repairs were quickly carried out and services, including weddings, were held here from Christmas of that year.
Further post-war repairs included the removal of most of the nineteenth century box pews. A few remain to this day – so you can experience how uncomfortable they were to sit in!
The inside of the church was remodelled in 2013. Toilets and a kitchen were installed so it can now be used as a flexible arts and community space.