St Mary the Virgin Merton

      Diocese of Southwark, Church of England

St Mary's lies in a quiet and historic corner of south west London, in the heart of the Merton Park Conservation Area, south of Wimbledon

A church has stood on this site since before the Domesday Book. It was founded by the Augustinian Canons who also founded Merton Priory. Parts of the present building date back to 1115. The roof of the nave is nearly 900 years old and that of the chancel dates from 1400. The two aisles were built in the last century to accommodate the population explosion

Every generation has left its mark:

• the gateway to the ancient Merton Priory.

• the fine Elizabethan memorial of Gregory Lovell.

• the tomb of Rear Admiral Issac Smith, the first Englishman to land in Australia.

• a monument by the widow of Captain Cook.

• Lord Nelson's seat - he worshipped regularly at this church towards the end of his life.

• the hatchments of Lord Nelson and Sir William Hamilton.

• stained glass from the 1400's and Burne-Jones designed windows from the local factory of William Morris.

• Edward Rayne (of Raynes Park) is buried in the South Aisle.

• other famous names associated with this church include John Innes and William Rutlish.

There is a great deal more of interest in our ancient parish church and in its surrounding graveyard and Glebe.

Lord Nelson's funeral hatchment in the North Aisle