I have written several posts about the new vitality in South London. The art galleries, restaurants, and clubs are thriving. Well, so is the church ALL SAINTS CHURCH, PECKHAM. The church started in 1867 when Peckham was a village on the edge of Camberwell and was a haven outside the intense bustle of Victorian London. Within a few years the church had grown from about 20 people to over 600 adults in the congregation, and there was even a children’s service for 800 children each Sunday afternoon.
The church grew rapidly in the early 20th century, but like many inner-city church, declined after World War II. By the mid-1990′s the church congregation had fallen in number to a small handful of members. The church was no longer viable and plans were made to sell off the land for housing.
By 1996 a last ditch effort was made to sae the church. A new reverand was appointed with the attitude that GOD HAD A PLAN THAT ALL SAINTS COULD BE FULL AGAIN ON SUNDAYS. Since 2003, the church reports that people attending the church have continued to show strong growth.
ALL SAINTS HAS TWO SERVICES each Sunday, a morning service at 10:30 am and an evening service at 7pm. There is also a midweek service on Tuesdays at 11:00am. The services reflect the New Wine/SoulSurvivor style of worship. In 2005 the church released its first live worship CD YOUR FAVOR.
The Prince of Wales has taken a great interest in South London. He has moved the offices for his charities to Camberwell and has been involved in projects to save the historic fabric of the area. He and the Duchess of Cornwall spent a day recently visiting ALL SAINTS PECKHAM CHURCH and the BRIXTON MARKET.
I am going to attend church at ALL SAINTS in August. I want to hear the spirited and spiritual music from the congregation and to visit another old church saved from demolition.
I realize that many of my readers stay on the north side of the Thames–probably because limited time allows visits only to the more famous church buildings like Westminster Abbey, Brompton Oratorio, and St. Paul’s. But for those who have a bit more time, start exploring South London. Great things are happening there. I have written about BOROUGH MARKET and the GLOBE, etc., but I think ALL SAINTS PECKHAM would be a wonderful experience. You would mingle with local Londoners and would be hearing accents which are so charming.
Visiting a charming service at ALL SAINTS in Peckham with local supports–wow! What a wonderful plan. I expect that the vitality of the South Bank which attracts the Prince of Wales will rub off on us. What a great thing to watch an area come back to life. Consider it for your visits.
Thomas Moore email: TMooreSr@me.com Telephone: 801.791.9918
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