Almost 140 year history of the Sacred Heart church

The church of the Sacred Heart was consecrated by Bishop John Butt on 17 June 1887, the Feast of the Sacred Heart. This date was just three days before the 50th anniversary of Queen Victoria ascending to the throne. The church was designed by renowned church architect, Frederick Walters, in the Decorated Gothic style with seven altars, 19 saints' statues and an impressive rood overhead. The parish was run by the Jesuit order of priests until it was handed over the the Archdiocese of Southwark at an historic concelebrated Mass on Sunday 10 January 2014.

The Wimbledon Open House Festival Collection

Wimbledon & The Open House Festival

Landmarks, Faith, Architecture and Community in Merton
Wimbledon Village is often associated with tennis and the Common, But lying between the Common and Wimbledon town, this cluster of buildings tells the story of a community across three centuries. From a medieval parish site to a striking 1960s tent-roofed church, from a windmill that once ground corn, to a Victorian engineer's final resting place. This Open House Festival, step inside these landmarks, sacred, civic and domestic, and discover the layers of history, craftsmanship and community life that shape the area today.

PLEASE NOTE: Everything listed here is opening on SATURDAY 12th SEPTEMBER as part of the Open House Festival. Actual opening times will vary so please check the individual listings for times.

WHILE YOU’RE HERE: The area also boasts a wonderful selection of shops, bars and cafes to cater for your every need while visiting. You are guaranteed a warm welcome!

Walking map route on Google Maps:
https://maps.app.goo.gl/6sr2o5anemypXwhZA
ST MARK’S CHURCH: St. Mark's Place, SW19 7ND
A striking pentagonal church of 1968–69, where a tent-like timber roof and a glowing frieze of abstract stained glass by Keith New create one of Wimbledon's most surprising mid-century interiors.
15 EDGE HILL
New build rear extension to Victorian house, entailing extensive remodelling of ground floor to create a large open plan flow-through living, dining and kitchen space.
SACRED HEART CHURCH: Edge Hill, Wimbledon
Marvel at this great expression of grand ecclesiastical architecture, designed by Frederick Walters and built in stages between 1887 and 1901
ST JOHN THE BAPTIST CHURCH: Spencer Hill, SW19 4NZ
A Grade II listed Victorian Gothic church of 1875 by Sir Thomas Jackson, celebrated for its soaring red-brick nave, fine stone tracery and unusual buttress-mounted bellcote.
WIMBLEDON VILLAGE CLUB AND LECTURE HALL: 26 Lingfield Road (corner of Ridgway), SW19 4QD
Founded in 1916, peek behind the doors of this Victorian Gothic village hall of 1858, home to England's oldest continuously used social club and the Wimbledon Museum's 3,000-year local story.
ROGERS HOUSE: 22 Parkside SW19 5NA
Built as a private house for his parents, the project encapsulates Rogers' vision of a home built using industrially manufactured components. As such it was seen as a prototype for mass affordable housing. Opening for the Festival in association with The Wimbledon Society
WIMBLEDON WINDMILL MUSEUM: Windmill Road, Wimbledon Common, SW19 5NR
Climb inside a rare surviving hollow post mill of 1817, later home to six families and the spot where Robert Baden-Powell wrote part of Scouting for Boys, now a charming volunteer-run museum.
ST MARY’S CHURCH: 30 St Mary's Road, SW19 7BP
St Mary’s is Wimbledon’s ancient parish church and is a Grade II* listed building on a site of worship dating to the Domesday Book, rebuilt in 1843 by Sir George Gilbert Scott and packed with centuries of local history.
ST MARY’S GARDEN HALL: 30 St Mary's Road, SW19 7BP
Take a look inside this award-winning contemporary hall designed by Terry Pawson Architects, whose glazed wall folds open onto the churchyard garden and brings a light, modern addition to the historic St Mary's site.
BAZALGETTE MAUSOLEUM: St Mary's Church, 30 St Mary's Road, Wimbledon, SW19 7BP
Located within St Mary’s churchyard, this is the atmospheric Portland stone resting place of Sir Joseph Bazalgette, the engineer behind London's sewer network, in a rare chance to see this Heritage-at-Risk mausoleum up close.
WIMBLEDON VILLAGE: Shops, pubs, cafes, restaurants and beautiful architecture – A perfect end to your visit.
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Together these places reveal Wimbledon Village as a place of extraordinary architectural, religious and cultural diversity. Whether you're drawn by Gothic spires, mid-century design, engineering history or a glimpse of contemporary residential architecture, Wimbledon Village has something for every Open House explorer. Wander the area, meet the volunteers and custodians who keep these buildings alive, and see it through new eyes. We look forward to welcoming you.