Description
St Mary Magdalene is a Victorian Gothic ragstone church with a stone spire, designed by William Butterfield and built in 1883 at the behest of Georgiana Twells of Chase Side House to commemorate her husband Philip Twells, who had died in 1880. It has impressive windows and painted chancel. There is a pleasant well-kept garden with lawn in front of the church, flower beds around the church and the perimeter, with York paving paths, trees, shrubs and seats.
Practical Information
| Site location | Windmill Hill/The Ridgeway, Enfield Chase |
|---|---|
| Postcode | EN2 |
| What3Words | ///energetic.closet.tape |
| Type of Site | Churchyard |
| Borough | Enfield |
| Open to Public | Yes |
| Opening Times | unrestricted |
| Events | Concerts, theatrical productions by St Mary's Drama Group and Southgate Opera Company |
| Public Transport | Rail: Enfield Chase. Bus: 121, 307, 313, 517 |
| Research Updated | 1 April 2011 |
| Last Updated | 18 October 2026 |
Full description
This area was formerly part of the royal hunting park of Enfield Chase and apart from a windmill at the south end of The Ridgeway there were few buildings until the area began to develop in the C19th following arrival of the Great Northern Railway and opening of its station at Enfield Chase in 1871. Substantial houses for professional and business classes began to be built and the need for a new church arose, the population hitherto served by the parish church of St Andrew in Enfield Town (q.v.). St Mary Magdalene was built in 1883 at the behest of Georgiana Hannah Twells of Chase Side House to commemorate her husband, Philip Twells, a former MP and banker in the City of London who had died in 1880. Mrs Twells commissioned the renowned architect William Butterfield to design St Mary Magdalene as a memorial to him and she laid the foundation stone on 17 December 1881. The church was consecrated by the Bishop of London in July 1883. Philip Twells was buried at Lavender Hill Cemetery (q.v.) where Georgiana Twells was later buried alongside him following her death in December 1898. There is also a memorial drinking fountain to Philip Twells in Lincoln's Inn Fields (q.v.).
The church is a fine Victorian Gothic ragstone building with a stone spire, and the internal fittings were also designed by William Butterfield, the church having impressive windows and painted chancel. There is a pleasant well-kept garden with lawn in front of the church, flower beds around the church and the perimeter, with York paving paths, trees, shrubs and seats. The church has been recently renovated and cleaned.
There is a long tradition of drama production at St Mary Magdalene, with St Mary's Drama Group established over 40 years ago, but prior to this one famous thespian associated with the church is William Henry Pratt (1887-1969), better known by his stage name of Boris Karloff. His family had moved to Chase Green Avenue in 1892 and for a time he was at Enfield Grammar School. At the age of 9 he performed in the annual Christmas play performed in St Mary Magdalene Church Hall, taking the part of a Demon King in 'Cinderella', heralding more monsters to come in later years. He emigrated to Canada in 1909 and worked as a labourer before finding work in the theatre and eventually appearing in films from 1919. Southgate Opera Company is also now based at St Mary Magdalene.
The church is a fine Victorian Gothic ragstone building with a stone spire, and the internal fittings were also designed by William Butterfield, the church having impressive windows and painted chancel. There is a pleasant well-kept garden with lawn in front of the church, flower beds around the church and the perimeter, with York paving paths, trees, shrubs and seats. The church has been recently renovated and cleaned.
There is a long tradition of drama production at St Mary Magdalene, with St Mary's Drama Group established over 40 years ago, but prior to this one famous thespian associated with the church is William Henry Pratt (1887-1969), better known by his stage name of Boris Karloff. His family had moved to Chase Green Avenue in 1892 and for a time he was at Enfield Grammar School. At the age of 9 he performed in the annual Christmas play performed in St Mary Magdalene Church Hall, taking the part of a Demon King in 'Cinderella', heralding more monsters to come in later years. He emigrated to Canada in 1909 and worked as a labourer before finding work in the theatre and eventually appearing in films from 1919. Southgate Opera Company is also now based at St Mary Magdalene.
Further Information
| Grid Reference | TQ317967 |
|---|---|
| Site Ownership | St Mary Magdalene Church |
| Site Management | Church |
| Dates | 1883 |
| Designers | Church: William Butterfield |
| Listed Structures | LBII*: St Mary Magdalene Church. LBII: Forecourt walls to St Mary Magdalene Church; Former Vicarage (now Ridge End) and outbuildings; forecourt walls of Ridge End. |
| On National Heritage List for England (NHLE), Parks & Gardens | No |
| Registered common or village green on Commons Registration Act 1965 | No |
| Protected under London Squares Preservation Act 1931 | No |
| Local Authority | Enfield |
| In Conservation Area | No |
| Tree Preservation Order | No |
| Nature Conservation Area | No |
| Green Belt | No |
| Metropolitan Open Land | No |
| Special Policy Area | No |
Gallery
Please note the Inventory and its content are provided for your general information only and are subject to change. It is your responsibility to check the accuracy.
Nearby parks and gardens
Enfield Golf Course is, with Bush Hill Park Golf Course, a fragment of Old Park estate, the former park of Enfield Manor or Palace, which was a Royal property pre-dating Enfield Chase and the Domesday survey of 1086. On his restoration to the throne in 1660, Charles II granted Old Park to General George Monck and in succeeding years the 225 hectare estate passed through many owners, part of it becoming Enfield Golf Course in the C20th. Enfield Golf Club was established in 1893. The moated site of the keeper's lodge is within the grounds, through which the Salmon's Brook runs. Old Park Farm existed on the east boundary near the golf club house until the 1960s.
Chase Green is former woodland that became part of the hunting park of Enfield Chase in 1136 but to which local people retained common rights. When the Chase was enclosed in 1779 a portion was allotted to Enfield villagers as compensation for loss of rights, although this was enclosed in 1803 except for 5 hectares that were later transferred to Enfield UDC in 1898. As such Chase Green constitutes the first public open space in Enfield. There is a fragment of oak woodland to the west and the gardens at the south end are part of the late C19th/early C20th landscaping of the east part of Enfield Town. At the south end is the Cenotaph Garden with a war memorial.
Chase Green Gardens are on former woodland that became part of Enfield Chase in 1136, with local people retaining common rights. When the Chase was enclosed in 1779 a portion was allotted to villagers as compensation for loss of rights. In 1803 all but 5 hectares of this portion was itself enclosed, later transferred to Enfield UDC in 1898. The New River Loop flows through the gardens, part of the scheme to bring fresh water to London in a conduit from Hertfordshire through Enfield to Islington. The New River Company was set up in 1606 and work began in 1609 with financial backing from James I, and was completed in 1613. In 1890 the portion around Enfield was piped underground thereby making this stretch redundant. It was saved from being infilled by a public campaign to preserve it for its ornamental value and it is essentially a linear lake.
