In the early years, with Saint John's (Bendon Mission Church) and Saint James' (in Earlsfield Road, possibly opposite Brocklebank Road)
F. S. Coleman 1888 - 1892; A. R. Hudson 1889 - 1890, F. W. Toms 1891, (Reader Mr Alex Greig 1888 - 1892)
(Verger Mr Lacey)
Patrick Watson 1892 - 1898; Hugh T. Pinchin, G.
Canon Douglas Tudor Craig 1899 - 1937 (Rural Dean of Wandsworth); R. Oliver Wilson 1920 - 1934, Hugh Roberts 1932 - 1940,James Stopford 1932 - 1934, J. Ellis -1934, E. V. Kingston (St John's), J. H. Firminger 1936 - , Francis E. North, C. A. Heal 1936 - ,L. B. S. Abbott, Archer Turner, Revd Neale, Hall (T-C's Son-in-Law), J. B. Haldane, G. Blacktop 1936 - 1939, Deaconess Grace Stephens, (Reader Mr A. J. Prior), (Nurse F. J. Roberts 1932 - 1936), (Nurse Buck), (Nurse Vickers 1937 - )
Alfred Thompson 1937 - 1953 (Reader Mr. Henning 1951 - 1980)
Denis C. Bratt 1954 - 1974 (Rural Dean of Wandsworth); John Boyce 1957 - 1960, Deaconess Silvia Warman 1959 - 1962, Ken Ramsey (Worker Priest) 1962 - 1969, (Captain Lynch 1961-1963), (S.P.A. Mrs R. Lloyd 1965), (Sister Chesworth), (Reader James Forward 1966 - 1969)
Graham Derriman 1975 - 1981 (Priest in Charge) Alan Beaven (Prison Chaplain)
Ron Monk 1981 - 1982 (Priest in Charge)
Eric Last 1983 - 1988 (Priest in Charge)
Edward Probert 1989 - 1994, Alex Mills (Curate) 1990 - 1994
Colin Pritchard 1994 – 2003 (Rural Dean of Wandsworth, 1997 - 2003); Robert Riley-Braley (NSM) 1995 - 2002; Victoria Hackett (NSM) 1999 - ; (Reader James Cole, 1995 - 1996), (Reader Michael Okoye, 1998 - ), (Reader Denise Mumford, 2001 - ) Richard Peers (2002 -
The Revd ALFRED THOMPSON M.A.
Vicar of St Andrew's, Earlsfield
1937 - 1954
Almost ordered to St Andrew's from Holy Trinity Wimbledon after several other clergy had declined, mainly due to a 20 plus roomed Victorian Vicarage with large gardens (Garratt lane to Tranmere Road and Waynflete Street to Tranmere Road School). Married - no children. Wife a very gentle and elegant lady. No servants such as his predecessor was able to afford. A large man in all respects (an ex-rugby man who had achieved County standard when playing for Hampshire), a basso profundo who invariably preached extempore. On one notable occasion he ordered the Churchwarden's son out of the church for talking too loudly to other young people during one of his sermons. His war-time ministry was of the highest order, not least in times of danger. Difficult to understand theologically, as he assumed that we were educated to his level. A nice touch, I recall, was his inviting Vera and I to kiss each other in front of the congregation before starting the wedding march recessional. A man of strong principles; anti-gambling e.g. no raffles.
After his retirement he was very reluctant to return, being of the opinion that his ministry had achieved very little in 17 years, there was litle point in his coming back. He did on just one memorable occasion, when being too incapacitated by his arthritis he preached from the Chancel steps, holding on to the screen. The theme, as I recall it, was in essence the condemnation of those who were saying in effect "Things ain't what they used to be." (a reference I felt to be in connection with his successor.) For if this was the case, then it was down to ourselves that any blame must be attributed.
I was present at his Induction and Installment by the then Bishop of Kingstom (F.O.T.Hawkes) an occasion I clearly recall being the first of its kind I had attended. For 17 years I was influenced by his Godly and learned priesthood. I had occasion to point this out to him in his old age, that he had sown the seeds on which my own ministry was founded.
Deo Gratias.
A.T. P.
Perhaps it is fitting that the Revd D. Tudor
Craig, Vicar of St. Andrew's for so many years should have the last word, which
he used to conclude his final appeal:-
"This is the centre of a vast number of immortal souls. A Living Church is
already in the Parish, a body of faithful earnest worshippers. We earnestly
hope that others will be added to these numbers. The work of the Lord must Go
Forward".........
Prepared by Colin Pritchard