St Mary Magdalene

St Mary Magdalene is an Anglican parish church in Richmond with a clerestoried nave flanked by north and south aisles. The structure features double-pitched roofs that extend into functional porches for protection.

The Perpendicular tower dates to 1507, making it the oldest part of the building. The nave and aisles were rebuilt in 1750, and the entire structure underwent major restoration in 1866 under architect Arthur Blomfield.

The church holds memorials to notable figures including author Mary Elizabeth Braddon and actor Edmund Kean, whose monuments sit among the walls. These tributes reflect the community's connection to people who shaped local life over the centuries.

The church holds eight bells cast between 1680 and 1761, reinstalled in the 1980s and still rung during services. The bell chamber above creates a distinctive sound that carries across Richmond during worship.

A mezzanine structure sits above the north porch, originally designed as a warden's vestry for church administration. This hidden chamber connects via a dog-leg staircase, revealing how medieval churches organized their working spaces.

Location: London Borough of Richmond upon Thames

Architects: Arthur Blomfield

Website: http://richmondteamministry.org

GPS coordinates: 51.46020,-0.30384

Latest update: December 8, 2025 20:00