St Mary, Stoke Newington

St Mary, Stoke Newington is a parish church in Stoke Newington, London Borough of Hackney.[1] Designed in the Gothic Revival version of the Decorated style by George Gilbert Scott and completed in 1858, it replaced a medieval and 16th century church, now an arts venue, and serves what remains of the ancient parish of Stoke Newington after other parishes were split from it in 1849, 1873, 1883 and 1892.[1]

The old (foreground) and new (background) churches.

The design was loosely based on that of Salisbury Cathedral.[2] It is Grade II* listed.[3] The first vicar was Thomas Jackson, who, as a young rector, was attracting congregations from all over London by his reputation as a preacher. The church's steeple, however, was not completed until 1890, by Scott's son John Oldrid Scott, which led to a humorous rhyme being composed:

"Stoke Newington's a funny place
With lots of funny people;
Thomas Jackson built a church
But could not build a steeple."

[2]

A restoration of St Mary's was undertaken under Nugent Cachemaille-Day after the Second World War. It was Grade II* listed on 1 September 1953.[4]