Battersea Methodist Mission

Rev J A Thompson came to Battersea in 1932 and was struck by the poor living conditions of the people he encountered. He was clear that spiritual needs and social needs went hand in hand and so, alongside Dr Luke Wiseman, they began a massive fund-raising scheme to fund a building project.

The plans were ready at the outbreak of the Second World War in 1939 and, because an air-raid shelter was needed in the area, the building began. The shelters were in operation from the first to the last air raid on London.

The Methodist Recorder reported in 1940 that “a daring venture is being launched in the heart of Battersea” and the rest of the building was opened in May 1941 although the official ceremony had to wait until 1946.

Rev Thompson said “In the centre stands the church, giving meaning to this many-sided appeal, for no change is sufficient which does not deal with life at its foundation. The building includes Child Welfare, Sun Ray, Dental and General Clinics, a roof playground, a Nursery and air-conditioned Shelters. The Medical and Social Departments are not substitutes for evangelism, but the extension of evangelism to the whole of life”.

As time went on other activities were added to those initially established and these included the Rank Teaching Centre, holidays to Broadstairs, football teams, Sunday lunches, Leg Ulcer, Chiropody, Acupuncture, Osteopathy, Physiotherapy and Varicose Vein clinics.

A number of well-know people offered their support of both time and money over the years and Sir Malcolm Sargent, J Arthur Rank and Frank O Salisbury are just three.

At Battersea we give thanks for the many people who have contributed to, and helped to make possible, the work of the Mission and there are reminders of some of these benefactors on foundation stones, wall plaques and stained glass windows.

Rev Thompson’s original concept of a church caring for the whole person, body, mind and spirit, is still very much a part of the ethos of ‘The Mission’. As time has moved on, so have the needs of the people in our community and it has always been important to offer appropriate help. With the development of the National Health, Education, Social Security, Government funded schemes and Charities the Mission has opened up their building to organisations offering specific help to particular groups of people and so now we house Paul’s Cancer Support, Sound Minds, Home Start and Destiny Kids Nursery. The Church and fellowship meet as always and we continue to ask “What is the work God has for us to do right now?”

At Battersea Central Methodist Mission we believe that there is still a need for us in the community. We look back and give thanks to God and we build on the good traditions and faith of those who have gone before, but we look to the present and the future and strive to address the needs of the community with radical hospitality, unconditional love and endless compassion.