On 23rd of January, 2023 our Grade II* listed church in north-west London was destroyed in a fire overnight.


Eighty firefighters were deployed to try and save as much of the building as possible. Videos on social media showed the entire building alight, while witnesses saw the moment when roof of this ornate Victorian building caved in. Fortunately, there were no injuries, and the cause of the fire remains unknown. 



It is difficult to exaggerate the impact of this event on the worshipping community of the church. Several had attended for many years and undoubtedly some of the most important events in their lives - marriages, funerals and baptisms - took place here. The church occupies a prominent position in an in iconic area of London - close to Abbey Road Studios and Lord’s cricket ground, both within the parish. And many who did not attend would still be very familiar with the building itself and saddened by its destruction.

Here are the key points concerning the church’s history

It was built in 1846 to replace a small temporary building which had been set up to cater for the expanding population of St John's Wood

It survived being hit by an enemy bomb in 1941 during World War Two, with work to rebuild its spire being completed in 1955

Robinson Duckworth was appointed vicar of St Mark's in 1870 after spending four years as Prince Leopold's tutor. Prince Leopold, Queen Victoria’s youngest son also laid the church's foundation stone when it was built

Duckworth was immortalised as the duck in the jury box in Lewis Carroll's Alice's Adventures in Wonderland and was allegedly in the boat when the writer first told his famous story!

Future hope

When I was younger so much younger than today, I lived a life turned in on itself, holding on tightly to all that was mine. I tried to make as much of the opportunities I had been given, largely for the benefit of me, myself and I. But, by the kindness of God, I have discovered the supreme importance of giving away. 

 

As a Christian, I believe in a give-away God. He came as near breathing, as close as hands and feet in the person of his son, Jesus. He gave his life away so that we might enter into relationship with him.

 

So, I hope that the future of St Mark’s will be characterised by giving away

 

  • we shall give away the Gospel of grace to any who want to receive it
  • we shall give away the power of God as we pray for any who are in need
  • we shall give away our time, our love and our money

 

Biblical commentator Matthew Henry said of his father, “He is no fool who gives away what he cannot keep, to gain what he cannot lose.”


You never lose when you give away. Having apparently lost everything, I hope that the future of St Mark’s will prove this point.