Church Restoration 1866-1869

In 1865 a relatively youthful and unmarried cleric was instituted as Vicar of Steeple Morden. The Reverend William Martin arrived from his Devon curacy determined to make a difference and so it came to pass. First, he decided Steeple Morden needed a proper day school and in 1867 a brand new Church School opened its doors to children of the parish. Mr Martin had already applied himself to another ambition, which was to restore the badly dilapidated Church to something like its former glory.

Church restorations were fashionable with Victorians, who considered that in both construction and design, they could improve on the original. For Steeple Morden it was not simply fashion; there was a more pressing reason for restoration. As early as 1600 the church was described as poorly maintained, leading to the prominent central tower and steeple collapsing in a storm on 25 August 1625. The chancel was severely damaged also by the falling debris. Despite much debate and bickering no agreement could be reached to rebuild and repair and for the next 244 years the Church had no tower or chancel and the nave and aisles that remained appear to have received little care and maintenance over the years.

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