St. Mary the Virgin Cuddington

Is an Anglican Parish Church near Worcester Park in Surrey, dating back to 1218. The current church building was consecrated in 1895 after a 329 year interregnum.

THE PARISH OF CUDDINGTON

Cuddington began as a settlement in the 6th century when an Anglo-Saxon farmer, Cuda, lived in the area of Nonsuch Park. At that time the scattered Christian communities of the area were served by priests from Chertsey Abbey.

After the Norman conquest in 1066 the parish system was created and Cuddington was served from 1218 by a Norman Rector - Master Robert.

Some time later Merton Priory took over responsibility for Cuddington and appointed its clergy. The first Vicar was Low Thomas of Kingston in 1311.

In April 1538 Merton Priory was dissolved by Henry VIII and the villagers of Cuddington were removed. Cuddington Church was demolished to make way for the building of Nonsuch Palace.

With the coming of the railways in the 19th century there was again the need for a parish church to serve the expanding population of Cuddington and the present St Mary's was consecrated in 1895 with the Revd William Layton as its new Vicar.

St Mary's was further extended in 1959 and 1995 and the church was floodlit in 2000. However, the ancient parish of Cuddington had been reduced in size in 1938 when Stoneleigh became a separate parish.

Today St Mary's is the home of a thriving Christian community who continue to serve the people of Cuddington which now has some 3,500 homes and a population of around 8,000 people.

St Mary's, Cuddington belongs to the Diocese of Guildford in the Church of England. We are here to serve all parishioners irrespective of their belief or lack of it. Do contact us at the Parish Office or the Vicarage if we can be of any help.

Books

A detailed history of the church was written by Robert Leach. Copies of this are for sale from the Parish Office.

A history of the local area has been written by one of our congregation.