ST GILES CHURCH, ASHTEAD, SURREY

In 1882 a small Iron Church, given by Sir Thomas Lucas, had been built in the north of the parish for the growing population there. It was described as “a pretty little church but it suffered from extremes of temperature.” The ceiling was sometimes covered with a coat of ice, which gradually thawed when the stove was lit and dripped on the congregation. Although the building of a permanent church in its place had been discussed as early as 1890, it was not until 1899 that a fund was established for the purpose. In 1900 Frederick Peake gave land for the church on the corner of Oakfield Road. After generous contributions from one or two leading members of the church the response to the Appeal was very slow. In January 1905 a Building Committee was set up and Arthur Blomfleld, son of Sir Arthur Blomfleld, was cho­sen as architect. The parish engaged in fund raising activities. Lily, Duchess of Marlborough, opened a large-scale bazaar in May held in a field opposite the Old Rectory. Ashtead’s many young ladies were out in force running stalls and running a hat trimming competition. The Duchess said “it was the first time she had opened a bazaar in a parish where two churches could not contain the con­gregations.” https://sgsgashtead.org.uk/ourstory