Our History
The first stone was laid in 1836 and the Church was consecrated in 1838. At that time it had box pews to seat more than 600 but no chancel, side chapel or central isle. In 1855 the Chancel was built and the Tower Clock was installed with two clock faces a Westminster Chimes.
Gas lighting arrived in 1870 which was replaced with electricity in 1914. A hot water based central heating system was installed in1883 with a gas-fired boiler added in 1978.
Significant other works took place in 1883 including replacement of the box pews replaced with updated pews and new pews in the Chancel having carved poppy-head ends. The Central Aisle was created and there was new tiling throughout. The Chancel ceiling was boarded in panels with moulded ribs and a flat ceiling was added to the nave. Paving was placed around Church, as well as iron gates & railings.
The War Memorial Rood Screen was installed in 1919.
On 12th December 2003 a major fire destroyed the roof over the main church but not the sanctuary, and did major damage throughout the church, and smoke damage to the church hall. It particularly destroyed all within the tower except eight of the eight nine bells. The building was made safe while a decision was made about its future. The question of whether the structure is sound enough for a re-build or not takes a long time to answer, but finally the decision was made to repair and rebuild.
On Mothering Sunday 2006 (25th March) we held the First Service in the ‘reborn’ St Paul’s. St Paul’s daughter Church, St Augustine’s, closed and St George’s Chapel within St Paul’s was renamed St Augustine’s Chapel. The official opening by the Bishop of Guildford took place on 25th May 2006.
You can download these documents about our history
(PDF format)
History of St Paul's Church, Addlestone
