Welcome to St Paul's Church Grove Park, Chiswick

St Paul's has been used for Christian worship since 1872 and we would be delighted if you joined us. Christians of all denominations are welcome here, as are those searching for God and indeed the simply curious. 

The Way Ahead

After 33 years at St Paul's, Father Michael retired in July. We now enter an interregnum period while we search for a new vicar. In the meantime, Sunday servces will be taken by a rota of visiting clergy. One of the first stages of looking for a new priest is to think about what our parish wants and needs from a vicar, and we would like to involve as many parishoners as possible in this dicussion. There will be a session after the service on Sunday 18 September called "Listening to the Parish" to begin this process. All are welcome. Questions about services and other church matters should be addressed to our two churchwardens.

Cassandra Barker  
cassandra.barker@hotmail.com

 Sara Surtees

020 8994 7391 or 07817 594611 
sara.m.hodson70@gmail.com

Please join us on this annual interfaith walk of peace and friendship. This is a fun and informative way to find out about other cultures and customs, and the walk will take in places of worship from four different faiths in Hounslow. Refreshments and lunch are provided! There is more info on the poster above, and if you'd like to come along, Shelagh Allsop is the contact for St Paul's on 07710 385839.

SERVICES AT ST PAUL'S 

During this period of interregnum, there will now be just one service a week, on Sunday at 10am and the church will only be open at this time. Coffee is served afterwards, either at the back of church or in our lovely garden if weather permits! The Monday Meditation group will now be held at the home of Sheila White, please contact her if you would like to join this on 020 8994 1416 or ChisWhite@aol.com. Stay and Play, the group for parents and their little ones will begin again on 9 September at its new time of Friday mornings between 9:30-11:30am. For more info contact shelagh.allsop@gmail.com 

Sunday 24 July

10am Parish Eucharist: Rev’d SImon Brandes

Sunday 31 July

10am Parish Eucharist: Rev’d Jonathan Macneaney 

Monday 1 August

PCC Meeting 6pm 

Sunday 7 August

10am Parish Eucharist: Rev’d Canon Julian Reindorp

Sunday 14 August

10am Parish Eucharist: Rev’d Canon Julian Reindorp

Sunday 21 August

10am Parish Eucharist: Rev’d SImon Brandes

Sunday 28 August

10am Parish Eucharist: Churchwarden Cassandra Barker 

Sunday 4 September

10am Parish Eucharist: Rev’d Jonathan Macneaney

Friday 9 September

9:30-11:30am Stay and Play begins
This group for parents and children between 0-3 will run every Friday in the Isis rooms.

Sunday 11 September: 

10am Parish Eucharist: Rev’d Canon Julian Reindorp

Wednesday 14 September

PCC Meeting 6pm

Sunday 18 September: 

10am Parish Eucharist: Rev’d Martine Oborne (Area Dean)

Sunday 18 September

11 am "Listening to the Parish"
This session will be run by the PCC and is an opportunity for everyone in Grove Park to explore their thoughts and discuss ideas on what we would ilke from a new vicar. All are welcome for this session, even if you have never set foot in St Paul's before!

Sunday 25 September 

10am Parish Eucharist: Rev’d Jonathan Macneaney

Sunday October 2nd
              10am Harvest Festival: Archdeacon Richard Frank

Sunday October 9th 
10am Parish Eucharist: Rev’d Canon Julian Reindorp

Sunday October 9th 
11 am Bring and Buy Sale

Wednesday 12 October

PCC Meeting 6pm

Sunday October 16th
10am Parish Eucharist: Rev’d Eileen McGregor

Sunday October 23rd
10am Parish Eucharist: Simon Surtees LLM (Licensed Lay Minister)

Sunday October 30th 
10am Parish Eucharist: Rev’d Canon Julian Reindorp

Sunday October 30th 
All Souls Service: Remembering the Departed

Sunday November 6th
10am Parish Eucharist: Rev’d Jonathan Rust 

Wednesday 9 November

PCC Meeting 6pm

Sunday November 13th
Remembrance Sunday: Rev’d Canon Julian Reindorp

Sunday November 20th
10am Parish Eucharist: Rev’d Canon Julian Reindorp

Sunday November 27th
10am Advent Sunday Carol Service: Rev’d Eileen McGregor

Sunday December 4th 
10am Parish Eucharist: Rev’d Canon Miles Baker

Wednesday 7 December

PCC Meeting 6pm

Saturday 10 December

Kew Sinfonia and St Paul's Christmas Concert

Sunday December 11th 
10am Parish Eucharist: Rev’d Canon Julian Reindorp

Sunday December 18th 
10am Parish Eucharist: Rev’d Canon Julian Reindorp

Christmas Eve Saturday December 24th 4pm
Family Carol Service Rev’d Canon Julian Reindorp

Christmas Eve Saturday December 24th 11.30pm
Midnight Mass: Rev’d Canon Julian Reindorp

Christmas Day Sunday December 25th
Family Service10am: Rev’d Eileen McGregor

Father Michael's Retirement

Father Michael will be very much missed by all of us. His final service after 33 years at St Paul's, on 17 July was an emotional occasion with wonderful music from Tom Torley's brass group and the choir, and heartfelt tributes from members of the congregation including Caroline and Mike Morgan-Jones, Simon Surtees, Stephanie White and Bea Vickers. Warm words were spoken of how Michael's arrival in 1989 had felt like "a breath of fresh air" and how much good work he had done for our parish over the years. He was presented with a photo album of his time at St Paul's as well as vouchers from Trailfinders, John Lewis and M&S. After the service there were drinks in the vicarage garden. Pictures are below, as are the tributes from Caroline and Mike, Stephanie and Bea . 

A Tribute to Michael  Riley from Mike and Caroline Morgan-Jones

Our association with St Paul’s Church goes back a very long way and  we would like to mark the occasion by sending our love and very good wishes to you as you now take early retirement. Many of you  here today will not know who we are, because we went to live in the Salisbury area almost 20 years ago, but we have kept in close touch with Michael himself and indeed various members of the current congregation, and kept abreast of goings on at St Paul’s.  

When Michael arrived in the late 80s, it was the dawning of a new era.  Under the previous incumbent, the congregation had gradually shrunk to perhaps 10 or 12 mostly elderly and Michael was like a breath of fresh air.  He was very active, inclusive and generous, the vicarage and garden were opened up to us all and word soon got round that things were different at St Paul’s and the congregation gradually grew.  One of his skills  in the early days was finding the appropriate people to help him develop his ideas – for instance Pat Davies and I helped to launch a Parish Magazine – a total innovation for St Paul’s.  

Michael married  Mike and myself in October 1990 and over the years has christened four of our grandchildren /step grandchildren.  I planted the Magnolia Stellata in the garden in 1981 where my late husband’s ashes are buried, along with those of many more people whose ashes are buried in the bed, so you can see our connection with St Paul’s remains very strong.

Sadly the passing years have taken their toll,  as they have on all of us and a new home and way of life  beckons you.  We shall keep in touch with you and wish you all happiness and joy in your new life – and we shall also watch with great interest the developments at St Pauls! Mike and I wish you a well deserved retirement and thank you  for all you did for us and for all that you have done particularly in the early years to  transform a failing Parish to what St. Paul’s Church is today.

A Tribute to Michael Riley from Stephanie White
Roderick and I have been worshiping here for over fifty years! During that time, we have seen two vicars and a period of interregnum, hopefully a longer one than the one which we are facing now!

Last week, our gospel reading was about Martha and Mary: the contrast between a practical and a reflective faith. I am definitely a busy-bee of a Martha, but I recognise my own need to be around the Marys of this world whose faith is more profound. I have definitely found that stable faith in Father Michael’s ministry.

I’d like to thank him today for three things: his open church; his tolerance; and his generosity of spirit.

Open church means two things to me: firstly, the fact that the church itself is physically open each day; and secondly the fact Father Michael has allowed it to be used for so many things which benefit the congregation and the wider community. Think of all the wonderful concerts we have had here, the musical evenings and the personal celebrations he has allowed.  We held our fortieth wedding anniversary here!

It is quite a gift to be strong in your own beliefs, yet tolerant and open to other patterns of behaviour and belief. How many of us are here in this congregation today because of that tolerance? There are ex Methodists and Catholics among our regular worshippers and often visitors from another faith entirely, who find this a welcoming community. Father Michael has demonstrated the value of trying to see the best in people and show them loving  kindness rather than be too ready to pass judgement. I am personally grateful to him for the help he has given to refugee friends of mine.

Finally, Father Michael  has been very generous both with his own time and with his personal space. When we come to pray for the sick in church, I am reminded of his second ministry, caring for people at the Convent nursing home. When  I look through old photos, I remember how we have always been free to use the vicarage itself and the garden for church events and private celebrations. Youth group members may remember the dens they built in the shrubbery!

We have been very lucky in our vicar and let us hope that Father Michael will be equally lucky in the new life which awaits him.

A Tribute to Father Michael from Bea Vickers

I would like to say a massive thank you to you Michael, from all of us of course, but especially from me and my family for your ministry to us for these last 15 years. It seems like a wonderful co-incidence that the 150th aniverary celebrations are ending with your retirement, as it does feel as if the last six weeks have also been for you. The concerts, the Flower Festival, the Comedy Night; what a great way to end your job! 

It's very hard to sum up what you have meant to us all, and particuarly to me personally. There have been times when we were chatting in your kitchen when it felt like I was with an old friend. Sometimes when we were planning Youth Group together, it felt a bit as if we were colleagues. When I came to you with some very private worries  - as I know many of us have - then it felt as if you were my therapist (and for me that's quite a strange role reversal!) When you took my sons, first Sam and then three years later Joe, for their confirmation classes, teaching them the architecture of our faith, you were a wise and trusted teacher. But when you led the service and stood with me by my mum's coffin, saying the prayers for the dead, you took the role that no one else in my life over the last 15 years could ever fill - that of my priest.

It is a unique relationship between a vicar and his or her congregation and we have been privileged to have a vicar who is as reliable, good-humoured, wise and (as Stephanie has said) tolerant as you. You are also very modest, and I imagine you're hating this! However, I'm afraid you will have to bear us saying goodbye to you because you will leave an enormous hole here at St Paul's which I promise you no one else will quite be able to fill.

Time and the seasons will pass of course, both in this gorgeous church and in beautiful Grove Park. And God willing, we will find a new priest. But we will never forget you. Maybe in years to come, some words from one of your sermons will come into our minds, or maybe we'll remember just how loud your singing of a favourite hymn could sound when you forgot to turn off your microphone!

So, good luck Father Michael. Go well in Bromley, enjoy your new life and remember; never forget to have breakfast!

150 FESTIVAL PROGRAMME
Our Festival to celebrate 150 years of St Paul's church was a fabulous six weeks of jubilation and joy, fellowship, faith and fun!

SUNDAY 15 MAY 3:30PM AND 6:30PM - HEAR THE PEOPLE SING

The 150 anniversary celebrations got off to an wonderful start, with two  performances to a packed church of Hear the People Sing: a concert featuring music with a Chiswick connection! A ten-minute film compilation of some of the highlights of the event can be seen on YouTube here. https://youtu.be/SoWfZ8kZTqY

SATURDAY 28 MAY 7:30PM - HOUNSLOW SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA

MOZART IN MAY
The second event in the Festival was a lovely concert from this popular chamber group who gave us a programme of Mozart and Louise Farrenc.

SUNDAY 29 MAY 10AM - SERVICE OF CELEBRATION
Five members of the church: Katherine Makower (Amazing Grace), Peter Capell (Thine be the Glory), Audrey Jennings (I Cannot Tell), Cathy Morgan (Guide Me O Thou Great Redeemer), and our organist Tom Torley (Dear Lord and Father), all chose their favourite hymns, which were sung by the congregation at this joyful service of worship and praise. The sermon was preached by the Bishop of Kensington, the Right Reverend Graham Tomlin and the service was followed by coffee in the vicarage garden. 

SUNDAY 29 MAY 7PM - POETRY FOR A SPRING EVENING
 The next event was an evening of joyful, uplifting and reflective poetry, chosen and read by the St Paul’s Poetry Group. All the poems from the evening are available to download in the anthology below. 

WEDNESDAY 1 JUNE 6PM - FESTAL EVENSONG

To mark the exact day of the 150th Anniversary of the Consecration of St Paul’s on 1 June 1872, this evensong service included a sermon from Archdeacon of London, the Ven Luke Miller together with some celebratory music sung by St Paul’s Choir and friends. The service was followed by a very jolly drinks party at the back of the church.

SATURDAY 11 JUNE 7:30PM - THE ADDISON SINGERS

English Music for a Summer Evening. The programme by this very popular West London choir included Dyson, Stanford, Delius and Vaughan Williams. 

FRIDAY 17 JUNE 6:30-7:30PM - THE HISTORY OF ST PAUL’S

This was an utterly fascinating talk on the history of St Paul’s  from James Wisdom and Val Bott from the Brentford and Chiswick Local History Society. Using old maps, James and Val showed us how the shape of the parish changed. We discovered how St Paul's grew from a temporary building for a new suburb to the substantial building that stands today and found out lots about how the social mix of the community around the church has grown over 150 years.

There is a new exhibition about the last 150 years of St Paul's at the back of the church, and this can also be downloaded as a pdf from the HISTORY page of this website. 

SATURDAY 18 JUNE 7:30PM - KEW SINFONIA
The programme for this lovely concert included Vaughan Williams' Fantasia on a Theme by Thomas Tallis, Brahms Piano Concerto no 1 and Gade Symphony no 4. 

FRIDAY 24 JUNE TO SUNDAY 26 JUNE - FLOWER FESTIVAL

The church was filled with flower displays from local churches, schools and community groups for all to admire and refreshments were served throughout the weekend in the gardens. There was also a variety of musical performances including Tom Torley on organ, Catherine Jessop on piano and Sue Shorter on flute! We were absolutely delighted to have the Middlesex Yeomanry playing in the garden on Saturday afternoon, who gave us a rousing selection of favourites.

SUNDAY 26 JUNE 6PM - EVENING PRAISE
The Flower Festival closed with an evening service with readings, music, prayers and hymns.  

SUNDAY 3 JULY 7PM - COMEDY NIGHT

The final event of the 150 Festival was an evening of hilarious entertainment from the brightest and best of London’s young comedy circuit, performing in a marquee in the garden. 100 guests brought their own picnics and enjoyed both the entertainment and the bar! The perfect ending to our celebration of fellowship, friendship, faith and fun!

HELP FOR REFUGEES
The St Paul's Refugee Fund supports refugees and asylum seekers. You can read more about our work with Refugee Welcome Hounslow below and on the Charities page. If you would like to get involved, then the contacts here at St Paul's are Rachel Tanner, Shelagh Allsop and Stephanie White.

Stephanie has become close friends with Maimuna Jawo, a woman from the Gambia who has been, in her own words “in the system” seeking UK asylum for the last 10 years. She was recently invited to speak at the opening of Refugee Week 2022 and Stephanie would like her words to reach as wide an audience as possible. Your can watch her very powerful and moving ten-minute speech on YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6VfSlaOMnRY 

POETRY GROUP

St Paul's runs a popular poetry group over Zoom every Thursday at 12 noon. Contact Sue Hearn on 020 8995 2666  susan.hearn@btinternet.com to find out more. ​ You can choose your own poem to read or just listen to the choices of others. The session lasts around an hour. You can read anthologies of some of the poems we've chosen in previous sessions on the What We Do page. 

COLLECTIONS

You can donate to St Paul's by using the form below. Thank you very much!

E-NEWSLETTER

If you would like to receive a weekly newsletter from St Paul's to keep in touch with all of our events as well as other local news, then please email Ceciliathwaites@gmail.com and she will add you to the distribution list.

ST PAUL'S PCC

If you would like to read the annual reports for 2021 and also the minutes of the 2022 AGM, please download the documents below. Please note that the Minutes are still a draft and have not yet been confirmed as the final approved version.