This building was at the top of Bradford Road going into Wells Park Road. I went there from 3 years old and remember it fondly. Time dulls the memory and of course it was pulled down in the 1970's clearance. It had a lot of steps at the main entrance and I seem to remember them as circular or at a strange angle.
Our family were reminiscing - we seem to do a lot of that lately!
I wondered if anyone else could remember this building or better still, has a photo?
The missionary was Mr Bulpit in the 50s, 60s and some of the 70s.
London City Mission, Wells Park Road
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bradfordroadgirl
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Chris Doran
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The London City Mission still exists and will respond to enquiries about its history (at least someone I referred to them got a reply). A donation to their cause if they help would doubtless not go amiss.
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bradfordroadgirl
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Re: London City Mission, Wells Park Road
"For many years the work of the London City Mission in Upper Sydenham was centred on a hired hall on the corner of Coombe Road. In 1938, as a result of a gift by Mr David Burton, of a site on the corner of Bradford Road, to the London City Mission, a bright new hall was opened by Lord Radstock. The hall is on two floors, and has classroom and kitchen accommodation as well as the actual large hall used for services. During the war, many local folk were glad to use the lower floor as an air-raid shelter."
The quote above was written by Mr Bulpitt, who came to run the Mission in 1946. My Nan, Mary Tripp, who lived in Prospect Road, taught a Sunday School class there. So did my Mum, who taught the primary school class from 1945 to 1950. Although I've never lived in Sydenham myself, I have memories of children's Christmas parties at the mission in the 50s and 60s, and of my Nan's Sunday School class in the basement.
The quote above was written by Mr Bulpitt, who came to run the Mission in 1946. My Nan, Mary Tripp, who lived in Prospect Road, taught a Sunday School class there. So did my Mum, who taught the primary school class from 1945 to 1950. Although I've never lived in Sydenham myself, I have memories of children's Christmas parties at the mission in the 50s and 60s, and of my Nan's Sunday School class in the basement.
Re: London City Mission, Wells Park Road
In 1950 Mr Bulpitt was best man at my parents' wedding (on left of photo). His daughter, Maureen (right), was a bridesmaid.
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maureen barrett
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Re: London City Mission, Wells Park Road
It was lovely to see the image of The London City Mission hall, and read of other peoples memories.
I have very fond memories of Mr Bulpitt.I lived in Bradford Road (no 33 )from the 1940's through to the 1960's, my grandmother Kate Myerson lived there all her married life, and her daughters Betty, Gladys and Mollie brought up their families in various houses in the road.Ruth lived in Coombe, Jean lived in Dallas Road.(Actually my Gt.Grandfather lived in no 24 Dallas Road at the turn of the century).
Mr Bulpitt was very kind, and after my mother was widowed he made sure we had a'special box' every xmas, full of wonderful treats.He made sure nobody was left out, and there were groceries for mum to feed us over the holiday.We all went to Sunday School there (7 children), and joined the Scripture Union with its yearly exams and certificates, as did most of the children in the area.
Latterly he used a trumpet player outside to summon people to the evening service.
I also remember Lesley Tripp one of the teachers who lived in Prospect Road with his mother.
Bradford Road and its Mission Hall were a real sanctuary for those of us lucky enough to live there, we were poor, but happy.Maureen(nee Myles)
I have very fond memories of Mr Bulpitt.I lived in Bradford Road (no 33 )from the 1940's through to the 1960's, my grandmother Kate Myerson lived there all her married life, and her daughters Betty, Gladys and Mollie brought up their families in various houses in the road.Ruth lived in Coombe, Jean lived in Dallas Road.(Actually my Gt.Grandfather lived in no 24 Dallas Road at the turn of the century).
Mr Bulpitt was very kind, and after my mother was widowed he made sure we had a'special box' every xmas, full of wonderful treats.He made sure nobody was left out, and there were groceries for mum to feed us over the holiday.We all went to Sunday School there (7 children), and joined the Scripture Union with its yearly exams and certificates, as did most of the children in the area.
Latterly he used a trumpet player outside to summon people to the evening service.
I also remember Lesley Tripp one of the teachers who lived in Prospect Road with his mother.
Bradford Road and its Mission Hall were a real sanctuary for those of us lucky enough to live there, we were poor, but happy.Maureen(nee Myles)
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bradfordroadgirl
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Re: London City Mission, Wells Park Road
Thank you so very much for your input, floradora. Sadly I've had very little time to visit this forum properly and nearly missed this! Are you a sister of David Tripp? He was slightly younger than me. Mrs Tripp was such a lovely lady as was Mrs Bulpitt who died far too young.
Maureen, I remember the scripture exams and something called the Bartlett Reading Prize.
I have clear memories too, of lovely Miss Rose Wilcox, Charles and Hannah Flower and the Hackman family.
One Sunday, I snuck into the sweet shop (Wallses) before Sunday school and spent my offering money
which back then was a real no-no! During that service we sang a song called 'Yield Not To Temptation' and yes, I had been spotted!
I can't wait to show these photos to my mother - she reminisces more and more by the year (in a sometimes harsh world, the past is a safe happy place that can never change or let one down)
Maureen, I remember the scripture exams and something called the Bartlett Reading Prize.
I have clear memories too, of lovely Miss Rose Wilcox, Charles and Hannah Flower and the Hackman family.
One Sunday, I snuck into the sweet shop (Wallses) before Sunday school and spent my offering money
which back then was a real no-no! During that service we sang a song called 'Yield Not To Temptation' and yes, I had been spotted!I can't wait to show these photos to my mother - she reminisces more and more by the year (in a sometimes harsh world, the past is a safe happy place that can never change or let one down)