Unveiling of Plaque at St Mary's Finchley
New plaque
One of the final projects of the late Robert Winton as Secretary of
the Finchley Society was the design and installation of an information
plaque for the public outside St Mary's Finchley, in close cooperation
with the Rector of Finchley. Sadly, Robert was unable to complete
the work and so it was completed by fellow member Peter Marsh.
The plaque was unveiled by London Borough of Barnet Mayor Brian Coleman in the presence of the Rector, Rev. Philip Davison, the Deputy Lieutenant of Barnet, Martin Russell, Finchley Society Chairman and Vice-President David Smith and members of the Peggy Wells family on 28 June 2009.
The text of the plaque reads as follows:
You are standing in front of a church which is one of the best known
buildings in the Borough of Barnet. Its origins are unrecorded. Some
people believe that this was a sacred site in Saxon times. Certainly
a church was in existence by the 13th-century, when it was known as
'The Church of Our Ladye at Finchesley,'
Throughout its life the church has been affected by historical events
– ornaments and furnishings were destroyed during the Civil
War in the 17th century, and in 1940 a bomb devastated the east end
(to your right). The oldest visible parts are the tower and north
wall (on the far side). These are predominantly of 15th-century date,
but include some even older stonework. In the churchyard by the porch,
look out for some early 18th century tombstones decorated with skulls
and cherubs.
The churchyard was extended in 1772, and in 1812 there were major
roof repairs after the lead covering was stolen. With the arrival
of the railway in 1867, Finchley's population increased rapidly. A
new south aisle was built in 1872, and hot water, heating and gas
lighting were installed. Further extensions were made in 1932. It
is these, comparatively modern, walls that you see directly in front
of you. Major restoration took place in 1953, after the wartime bombing.
Today, the church remains what it has always been – a holy place,
dedicated to Christian worship.
Information board erected by The Finchley Society, 2009, funded by
the Peggy Wells Bequest and the Parish Church of St Mary-at-Finchley.
Last updated 30 June 2009