The History of All Saints’ Church

All Saints’ Church was consecrated on the morning of All Saints’ Day 1882 by the Bishop of London. The parish was created out of the historic parish of Friern Barnet in response to a need for a new church in the north of the parish to serve the growing area of Oakleigh Park and Whetstone, particularly in light of the new station at Oakleigh Park and the creation of the Oakleigh Park Estate. Although in Whetstone, N20, the formal parish name still refers to the historic link to Friern Barnet

The land and financing for All Saints’ was provided by John Miles, local businessman and director of the New River Company which supplied water to North London.

John Miles commissioned Mr J Clarke as architect and the original concept was to copy the design of All Saints’ in Reading, where John’s son, Henry, was the curate. In early 1882 it was decided to proceed with the work, including the nave, chancel, a tower and the spire.

The foundation stone was laid on 12 September 1881 and the church was built by Messrs D C Jones & Company. The cost of completion, including architects fees, heating and lighting came to a total of £11,852 17s 11d (equivalent to £1,034,592 in today’s prices).

Church Decoration

At the time of consecration the furnishings included the altar, pulpit, chancel screens and font, and the internal decoration was carried out between the 1880s and the 1920s as funds permitted.

The stained glass was made by Ward & Hughes and includes six windows illustrating the Works of Mercy in the nave aisles and the life of Christ in the chancel windows, the latter being given by the Miles family in memory of John Miles. These were unfortunately damaged during wartime bombing and were replaced by copies in the 1950s.

The chancel is richly decorated with wall paintings featuring angels and saints, designed by Sidney Gambier-Parry. His decoration scheme was completed with painting of the chancel arch, depicting Christ in, in 1923.

Changes to the Church

The church was enlarged in 1907-8 by the addition of a chancel to the Holy Spirit Chapel. Separate vestries for the clergy and choir were also added.

In 1896 an organ, built by Byrceson Bros was put in the chancel. It was renovated in 1955 but by the 1980s was again in need of restoration and it was decided that it should be replaced. As a project to celebrate the centenary of the church the funds were raised for a new organ which was installed in the rear of the church in 1984. At this time the pews were removed from the back of the church and the choir stalls moved from the chancel to a position between the new organ and the font. They were returned to the chancel in 2015.

In early March 2014 following pieces of masonry falling from the spire, cracks were discovered in its base. Initial work took place and a grant of nearly £500,000 from the Heritage Lottery Fund was awarded to carry out the repairs in two phases. The spire required extensive works which were carried out over a twelve month period. The top third of the spire had to be removed and completely rebuilt.

Vicars of All Saints’

Revd Henry Steward Miles, younger son of John Miles, was the first vicar of All Saints’ and came to the parish at a time when it was a rural parish with around 1500 inhabitants. By the time he retired in 1932 the population had quadrupled.

Fr Henry was a practical vicar and it was said that he knew every parishioner. He had a particular interest in education and founded All Saints’ Girls and Infants school next to the church. He also supported the foundation of groups such as Scouts, Cubs, Brownies and Girl Guides.

Fr Henry was known to visit his parishioners on his bicycle well into his seventies, and though his doctor advised against it he said: ‘My bicycle is like an apple a day; it keeps the doctor away.’ Fr Henry retired in 1932 to Amersham where he assisted St Michael’s Church. He died on 7 October 1944. He was buried in Friern Barnet Churchyard with his wife.

Fr Henry was succeeded by Revd Ward Griswold Cameron who saw All Saints’ through the Second World War and the repairs needed as a result of war damage. He retired in 1960.

Revd Stewart Elmslie, previously vicar of St John the Apostle in Whetstone, was then appointed. During his time the old vicarage next to the church was sold and a new one purchased in Oakleigh Park South. Fr Stewart retired in 1975.

He was succeeded by Revd Adrian Benjamin who remained at All Saints’ for 32 years. Fr Adrian was appointed prebendary of St Paul’s Cathedral in 2007.

Revd Dr Gregory Platten was appointed vicar in May 2013. He remained until 2020 when he was appointed Canon Chancellor of Lichfield Cathedral.

Revd Kim Quak-Winslow was appointed Priest-in-Charge of All Saints’ Friern Barnet and St John the Apostle, Whetstone, in September 2021 until the parishes were reorganised and she left All Saints’ to concentrate on St John’s in May 2024.

All Saints’ has an Associate Priest, Revd Harry Lamb, and we are looking forward to the licensing of Revd Gospel Iwuoha in 2025.