St Mary's Church, Battersea

Like many churches in London, St Mary’s at Battersea is not only notable for the design of its construction, but for the celebrated folk who are connected to it. The artist Turner painted a famous watercolour of the Thames from its vestry window. The infamous American soldier, Benedict Arnold, is buried in its grounds, as well as the botanist and founder of the Linnean Society, William Curtis. There are also several persons connected to the world of politics and power, such as Viscount Bolingbroke, Secretary of War and Secretary of State under Queen Anne, and Viscount Grandison, Lord High Treasurer and Lord Deputy of Ireland under King James. Furthermore, the poet William Blake was married here.

More names could be mentioned: St Mary’s, Battersea really did attract an interesting and eclectic crowd since its foundation in the 800s. Yet few of those famous names are noted for their piety or zeal for Jesus Christ (Bishop Charles Inglis the exception, perhaps). Where are the soul winners? The earnest pray-ers, the doers of good works, the lovers of the gospel? I suspect that such people warranted no memorial or recollection in the official histories.

But God knows them.

And God doesn’t forget them.

…that your charitable deed may be in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will Himself reward you openly. Matthew 6:4

…But you, when you pray, go into your room, and when you have shut your door, pray to your Father who is in the secret place; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly. Matthew 6:6

…so that you do not appear to men to be fasting, but to your Father who is in the secret place; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly. Matthew 6:18 (all NKJV)