Some Pictures of Acton, Middlesex

Churches

St. Mary's Church Acton

St. Mary's Church Acton

The town of Acton and the Church of St. Mary's, have a long history. A settlement at Acton is mentioned in the Doomsday book of 1086, and the Church is first recorded in the early 13th Century. The original medieval chapel was enlarged by the building of a nave, and much later a tower. In the 18th Century, the building was faced with brick in the style of the time. The present building dates from 1866, when the town outgrew the existing building.

In 1642, the church was damaged by Roundhead soldiers returning from the Battle of Turnham Green, in protest at Rector Featley, a writer of religious tracts, who was believed to support the Royalists.

The Church was the focus of Charitable giving from 1601, when money and property were left in the care of the church for the giving of alms and for the maintenance of a clean water supply. The Church continues to play a key role in administering the funds that still remain from these donations so long ago. The town was governed by the Church Vestry up until 1865, when the growth was so great that it required a Local Board to be formed. The Church Vestry was responsible for the building of alms houses and for the care of the sick and elderly, for the opening of the first formal school facilities in the town, and for the maintaining of the highways and the water supplies.

The town began as a farming settlement, but soon developed into an important refreshment stop on the long road from London to Oxford. During the 17th and 18th Centuries, Acton found favour as a Spa and as a country retreat for the wealthy from the City. The coming of the canal and the railways brought rapid growth in suburban housing, with easy access to the City of London. Industry and car manufacture was attracted to Acton in the early years of the 20th century, giving Acton the heaviest concentration of industry in the south of England.

The heavy industry has moved away from Acton since the 1950's and the recent changes in shopping habits have caused a decline in the trade of the town. Acton is now changing, with media and lighter industry taking over from the heavy industry. With easy access to Central London, Acton remains a popular place to live, with new housing being built at many sites.

Few in the town can fail to be affected by the Church, even if not regular members of the congregation. The Church Clock marks the passing of time with it's chimes, and many in the town will have been christened or married in the church. When the bells are being rung, and the birds are singing it is easy to imagine that you are in a country village. The Rector and her colleagues take an active part in all aspects of the community, performing an extremely valuable service to us all. With such a long history, the Church represents one of the few enduring links, and must not be allowed to fall into disrepair.

The Parish Church has been enlarged, and rebuilt to reflect the prosperity of the town. The Church remains a focal point in the centre of the town, and the award of a grant for the repairs and improvements to the Church will be seen as a significant contribution the regeneration of the town of Acton.

Visit St Mary's own Website

Acton Baptist Church

Our Lady of Lourdes

St Dunstan's - The Goldsmith's Church

Acton Hill Church

St Albans Church, Acton Green

The former Wesleyan Chapel

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