Introduction to the Friends of Hornsey Church Tower

A mid-nineteenth century view of St Mary's Hornsey by J.D. Barnett. The nave had been rebuilt, and the tower heightened, in 1832. The nave was demolished in 1927, leaving only the tower. About us The Friends were established in 1989 to care for the historic tower of St Mary's Church, Hornsey High Street, London N8. We are a registered charity (number 802596). Our aims The objects of the Friends are to ensure a future for the historic tower and to encourage the maintenance of the churchyard and memorial garden as a place for quiet recreation for the local community. How the Friends' activities are run The Friends’ activities are managed and administered by the Committee which organises events which are open to members and the general public, as well as undertaking the custodial rôle for the Tower. Members are welcome at committee meetings and at the Annual General Meeting. All committee posts are elected each year at the Annual General Meeting. Our activities For future activities see the section 'News and Forthcoming Events'. There are many practical opportunities for Friends to help to care for the churchyard or tower including organised gardening days. Our annual coach-trip day out, the Towers and Turrets Tour, is held on a Saturday in the spring. We visit places of architectural and historical interest, with an special emphasis on interesting church towers. Each September we participate in London Open House, and hold open days at other times of the year. Visitors can climb the spiral staircase and enjoy the extensive views over north and east London from the top of the Tower. The tower and churchyard have great potential as an educational resource for history, geography, geology and ecology. The Friends are keen to encourage this use; access to the tower for school parties can be made by special arrangement. Regular services are held in the tower by the parish of St Mary with St George. How we work with other organisations The Tower and churchyard, which form part of the Parish of St Mary’s with St George, are consecrated ground and thus subject to the Canons of the Church of England. The Friends act as agents for the Parochial Church Council of St Mary’s with St George (Cranley Gardens, London, N.8) in respect of repair, maintenance and all other activities at the Tower. The incumbent, churchwardens, and PCC of St Mary’s with St George are responsible for the overall management of St Mary’s Tower and Churchyard, through a PCC subcommittee on which the Friends are represented, but are not involved in the activities of the Friends day-to-day. The churchyard is closed and its maintenance is the responsibility of the London Borough of Haringey, although the Parish remains the owner. The Friends’ Committee has close links with the Hornsey Historical Society, and has links, through committee membership or advisory rôles, with Hornsey Conservation Area Advisory Committee, Haringey Local History Forum, the London Society, and other groups. last updated 23.01.2007