Places of Worship: Staines-Upon-Thames

Staines-upon-Thames, a historic market town in Surrey, boasts a rich tapestry of religious heritage, reflected in its diverse array of places of worship. These establishments not only serve as spiritual havens but also as landmarks that chronicle the town's architectural and communal evolution. ​ Holmes & Family Funeral Directors, Staines-Upon-Thames is privileged to serve to community and conduct funerals at these places of worship as well as others not mentioned.

St Mary's Church

St Mary's Church stands as a testament to centuries of faith and resilience. First documented in 1179, the church's origins likely trace back to the 9th century. The medieval structure featured a chancel, nave, and a north aisle. A brick tower was added in 1631. Despite facing structural challenges in the late 17th and 18th centuries, including the collapse of its north side in 1827, the church was rebuilt in 1828–9, incorporating the 17th-century tower. Notably, the stained glass behind the altar was a gift from the Crown Prince and Crown Princess of Prussia, and in 2005, a window was dedicated to the victims of the 1972 Staines air disaster.

St Peter's Church

Founded in 1874 as a chapel of ease to St Mary's, St Peter's Church transitioned through various structures before the current building's foundation stone was laid on 22 July 1893. Consecrated on 28 July 1894, the church was designed by George Fellowes Prynne in a free Perpendicular style. The red brick and stone structure features a nave of four bays, a chancel matching the nave's width and height, and a distinctive tower capped with a copper-covered spire. The interior boasts a constructional rood screen, which is carried right up into the chancel arch, a feature described as unique at the time of its construction. ​

Established in 1935 to serve the burgeoning community along Kingston Road, the original Christ Church was a brick building accommodating 280 worshippers. In 1962, a new church was consecrated on the same site, featuring a centrally placed altar beneath a square lantern that allows natural light to illuminate the interior. The font, dating from 1750, was gifted to the congregation in 1935 and originally belonged to St Mary's Church.

Staines Methodist Church

The Methodist presence in Staines dates back to 1771 with John Wesley's visit. By the early 19th century, a small congregation had formed, leading to the construction of a chapel around 1845 on Kingston Road. A larger chapel replaced it in 1865, and in 1987, the congregation moved to the current church on Thames Street. ​

Our Lady of the Rosary

Roman Catholic worship resumed in Staines in 1862, with Mass celebrated at the local workhouse. A chapel named "Our Lady, Help of Christians" opened in 1890 on Gresham Road, later renamed "Our Lady of the Rosary" in 1893. The church underwent expansion in 1931, adding a chancel and south aisle, and further renovations in 1990 introduced additional side aisles and a new church hall at the west end. ​

Staines Congregational Church

Dissenters have been a significant part of Staines' religious landscape since the mid-17th century. A permanent meeting house existed by 1690, and after a period of decline, a regular meeting was re-established in 1785. A chapel constructed in 1802 on Thames Street was replaced by a classical-style church in 1837. The current Congregational Church on Kingston Road opened in May 1956.

These institutions not only provide spiritual guidance but also stand as architectural markers, reflecting the evolving history and diverse community of Staines-upon-Thames.

Staines Funeral Directors, Holmes & Family, 197 Laleham Road, Staines, TW18 2NS