The hangings |
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The first hanging shows the church as it may have been in early medieval and in Tudor times. This was a matter of guesswork, as nobody knows what the early church really looked like. It was built of stone and flint: not locally available, so the first endowment, by the canons of St Paul’s Cathedral, must have been generous. The early buildings survived into the 19th century but accrued all sorts of additions and embellishments over the centuries. However, an 18th century print—although undoubtedly romanticised—provides an idea of the original constructions and design. The brick tower, which was added during the reign of the first Queen Elizabeth, survived long enough to be photographed. |
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Details from the first hanging |
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The three hangings, which are displayed in the church hall, celebrate the long history of St Mary’s church in Acton, showing the different stages through which the different buildings on the site grew. |
