TEDDINGTON CHURCH CLOSES FOR BUILDING WORKS
St Mary’s Church in Teddington will be closed from next Monday (August 10) to allow the final phase of building works to take place. Services will take place at St Peter & Paul instead
In a letter to parishioners, the vicar Reverend David Cloake wrote:
“Dear friends,
I write to you as congregation and church-family members to inform you that St Mary’s will close from Monday 10th August 2026.
“This means that Sunday 9th August will be our last Sunday in the church until the building works are concluded, I hope, in October.
“This decision is caused by the start of the third and final phase of the building work that will take place within the body of the church itself.
“All work to date has been outside the walls and so has been kept separate from our worshipping life and the open access of the building.
“The third phase comprises the connection of the former clergy vestry with the planned sacristy, the building of the new sacristy and mezzanine in the former organ chamber and all that that work entails.
“This involves emptying two very full spaces into other parts of the church, therefore rendering the building broadly unusable in any meaningful way.
“It is also my determination that closing the building reduces any risk of work over-running due to our presence and use, and thereby any increased cost, but also the inherent risk of personal injury that increases when this work is being undertaken in a relatively confined space.
“I have worked hard to ensure that the transition is smooth and that we sacrifice little of what we do together in worship, so I can confirm that services will move as follows:
Sundays:
8am Holy Communion Ss Peter & Paul
9am Morning Worship Ss Peter & Paul
10am Parish Eucharist Ss Peter & Paul
10am Children’s Church (in term time) Ss Peter & Paul – Goodall Room
12pm Baptisms Ss Peter & Paul
630pm Evensong Cancelled
Wednesdays:
930am Said Eucharist Mina Hogan Room
1030am Church Mice (from September) Mina Hogan Room
“As well as maintaining a consistent pattern of worship, I am pleased to confirm that usual patterns of fellowship over coffee and tea after our services will be preserved too.
“I also recognise how many of you offer your time and talent through the many rotas that support our life and worship.
“With very few exceptions, all functions will continue as usual, with any changes communicated to you by those who oversee your rota.
“If in doubt, ask – but in general terms everything continues as normal, but somewhere else for a while.
“I do not take it for granted that everyone knows where Ss Peter and Paul’s is, so please note that it is on the crossroads where the High Street meets Broad Street. Ss Peter & Paul’s trading name is now the Peter and Paul Centre but it remains a consecrated church and we are fortunate, in this season, to be able to access it with little restriction.
“Whilst there is no dedicated parking (as is the case at St Mary’s), I understand that local street parking can be found.
“This season of change may feel disorientating and at times frustrating but we will travel together into a short period of exile.
“We will return to a St Mary’s which will have been transformed and as a pilgrim people who may also have been transformed a little by worshipping in a new space.
“By maintaining a spirit of generosity with one another as we plot our way through the unknown, we will emerge stronger and more prepared for the next phase of life together as a spiritual family, and I assure you all of my prayers in the weeks to come.
Almighty God, whose Church is built of living stones and not of earthly buildings:
be present with us while our temple is closed for re-development;
bless those who labour in it, preserve us in fellowship and worship,
and bring us with joy to the day when we may gather again
in our house of prayer dedicated to your praise;
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen
As ever – if you are in any doubt, speak to me. I may even have the answer to your question!
Fr David
The Revd David Cloake
Vicar
St Mary with St Alban, Teddington