St Stephen’s Church War Memorial, Lewisham

Church of St Stephen, St Stephen's Grove, Lewisham, Greater London, SE13 5AF

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Overview

First World War memorial, unveiled on 3 September 1921. Read the official list entry to find out more.

Heritage Category:: Listed Building
Grade:: II
List Entry Number:: 1437645
Date first listed:: 31-Aug-2016
List Entry Name:: St Stephen’s Church War Memorial, Lewisham
Statutory Address:: Church of St Stephen, St Stephen's Grove, Lewisham, Greater London, SE13 5AF

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Official list entry

Heritage Category:: Listed Building
Grade:: II
List Entry Number:: 1437645
Date first listed:: 31-Aug-2016
List Entry Name:: St Stephen’s Church War Memorial, Lewisham
Statutory Address 1:: Church of St Stephen, St Stephen's Grove, Lewisham, Greater London, SE13 5AF

This List entry helps identify the building designated at this address for its special architectural or historic interest.

Unless the List entry states otherwise, it includes both the structure itself and any object or structure fixed to it (whether inside or outside) as well as any object or structure within the curtilage of the building.

For these purposes, to be included within the curtilage of the building, the object or structure must have formed part of the land since before 1st July 1948.

Understanding list entries

Corrections and minor amendments

This List entry helps identify the building designated at this address for its special architectural or historic interest.

For these purposes, to be included within the curtilage of the building, the object or structure must have formed part of the land since before 1st July 1948.

Understanding list entries

Corrections and minor amendments

Location

Statutory Address:: Church of St Stephen, St Stephen's Grove, Lewisham, Greater London, SE13 5AF

The building or site itself may lie within the boundary of more than one authority.

County:: Greater London Authority
District:: Lewisham (London Borough)
Parish:: Non Civil Parish
National Grid Reference:: TQ3831575775

Summary

First World War memorial, unveiled on 3 September 1921.

Reasons for Designation

St Stephen’s Church War Memorial, unveiled 3 September 1921, is listed at Grade II for the following principal reasons: * Historic interest: as an eloquent witness to the tragic impact of world events on this community, and the sacrifices it has made in the conflicts of the C20; * Architectural interest: a well-executed Portland stone Calvary cross; * Group value: with the Church of St Stephen (Grade II).

History

The aftermath of the First World War saw the biggest single wave of public commemoration ever with tens of thousands of memorials erected across England, both as a result of the huge impact the loss of three quarters of a million British lives had on communities and the official policy of not repatriating the dead, which meant that the memorials provided the main focus of the grief felt at this great loss. One such memorial was raised at St Stephen’s Church as a permanent testament to the sacrifice made by the members of the local community who lost their lives in the First World War.

The cross was unveiled on 3 September 1921 by Lieut-Col Eric Ball. The service was led by the Rev H Baron Dickinson and the dedication was given by the Bishop of Woolwich.

Details

MATERIALS: Portland stone.

DESCRIPTION: the memorial at St Stephen’s Church comprises a hooded Calvary cross with a carved figure of Christ. The tapered shaft has a collar and is set upon an octagonal plinth which is inscribed: 1914 – 1918.

This is set upon a three-stepped base. The top step is inscribed: FORGET NOT ON ENTERING/ THIS CHURCH THOSE WHO/ LAID DOWN THEIR LIVES/ FOR THEIR COUNTRY. The middle step is inscribed: REQUIESCANT IN PACE THANKS BE TO GOD WHO GIVETH THE VICTORY.

This List entry has been amended to add the source for War Memorials Online. This source was not used in the compilation of this List entry but is added here as a guide for further reading, 23 November 2017.

Sources

Websites
Imperial War Museum: War Memorials Register, accessed 6 July 2016 from http://www.iwm.org.uk/memorials/item/memorial/12268
Lewisham War Memorials, accessed 6 July 2016 from http://lewishamwarmemorials.wikidot.com/memorial:lewisham-st-stephen-ww1-war-memorial
War Memorials Online, accessed 23 November 2017 from https://www.warmemorialsonline.org.uk/memorial/253626

Legal

This building is listed under the Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) Act 1990 as amended for its special architectural or historic interest.