The 1960s were a time of great confidence and experimentation in many areas of life. New music, new fashion, new technology, and, in the Church, liturgical change and innovation all made it a heady and exciting time. In architecture, too, there were new materials, new construction techniques, and new opportunities to create buildings different from anything which had gone before. St Richard’s, Ham, in Richmond and Barnes Deanery, is a product of that period. Its glorious curving wooden ceiling with light streaming in on all sides and its vibrant slabs of coloured glass were post-war innovations which were now at their peak. Its Star of David design, best seen on Google Earth, is thought to be unique in this country, giving the church, according to Historic England, ‘something of a space-age character’. The remarkable nature of the building has now been recognised by it being added to the National Heritage List for England as ‘a striking and technically bold example of a post-war church, of special interest for its unusual plan, structural innovation and interior artwork.’
The challenge for the members of St Richard’s, and especially the PCC, is that 1960s architects didn’t always think about practicality and durability. The roof soon started leaking, and 60 years after the church was built, wooden window frames and roof beams are suffering serious decay. The curved roofing design – known to architects as a hyperbolic paraboloid but recognisable to the rest of us as a Pringle – was no longer used after the mid-1970s. What’s more, climate change means that rainfall is now heavier and winds stronger, creating even more of a challenge. As Historic England commented, many other similar buildings have been demolished, which is one of the reasons why they were keen that St Richard’s should be listed. The PCC is determined to try to save this iconic structure and has set out a vision that ‘by its 60th Anniversary in 2026 the building will be in a secure, sustainable condition providing a home for a thriving church family and a welcoming space for community groups and activities.’
The most recent estimate is that the repairs will probably cost £1m once fees and inflation are factored in. So, the church has been busy fundraising, and thanks to generous donations from individuals in the congregation and the community, and fundraising events including concerts, talks, sales and teas, they have managed to raise over £130,000, on top of the £74,000 they had saved up in previous years. Now that the church is listed they can start to approach possible grant-giving bodies, although formal applications for funds have to await approval of the architects’ plans by the DAC and local authority.
In the meantime, an increasing number of community groups are using the church as a space to help and support local residents. Local disability charity RUILS have held health and wellbeing events, Crosslight Advice have run their free Money Skills Course, Riverbank Trust use the church as a local hub for supporting single parents, and Richmond Mind and Richmond Foodbank are both looking for ways to extend their work into Ham out of St Richard’s. Other groups using the church include a community choir, Pilates class, and the local Neighbourhood Forum.
Revd Simon Coupland, Vicar said, “It is important to maintain the church’s partnership with St Richard’s CE Primary School, which is physically attached to the church. The school are in church every week for collective worship and I am regularly in school as a Governor and a support to the staff. We so value the closeness of our work together.”
Siân Murphy, Headteacher at St Richard’s CE Primary School said, “We take great pride in fostering strong community connections, and one of our most cherished partnerships is with the church. Whether it’s through sharing their knowledge and expertise or providing access to facilities for school events and activities, the church is a trusted ally in enriching the educational experience of our children.”
The church held a community quiz in May; ‘The Return of the Vikings’ with Vicar, Simon who is a Viking expert and a community choir concert in July.
Many more events are planned for the rest of the year, especially focusing on the 60th anniversary of the laying of the building’s foundation stone in September 1964. Bishop Christopher will be preaching and presiding at a special service to commemorate that. Along with a piano concert in September; and a Christmas Fair in November.
You can find out more on facebook.com/strichardsham or visit the Deanery website: https://richmondandbarnesdeanery.org.
