Stroud Green, London

infobox UK place
country = England
map_type = Greater London
region= London
population=
official_name= Stroud Green
constituency_westminster=
post_town= LONDON
postcode_area=N
postcode_district=N4
london_borough= Haringey
dial_code= 020
os_grid_reference= TQ311881
latitude= 51.57653
longitude= -0.10950

Stroud Green is the name of a suburb (and administrative ward) located adjacent to Finsbury Park in the northern part of Greater London. While most of Stroud Green is administered by the London Borough of Haringey, the buildings along the whole of the south-west side of the Stroud Green Road - the area's principal thoroughfare - are administered by the London Borough of Islington. This reflects the historical fact that the Stroud Green Road represents the border between the ancient ecclesiastical parishes of Islington and Hornsey.

Overview

Records for Stroud Green date back to the start of the fifteenth century, but today it seems that nothing remains as physical evidence of Stroud Green's distant past, and the area is now dominated by housing that dates from the late-nineteenth century. Destruction of some parts of Stroud Green was caused by aerial bombing during the Second World War, and this led to the creation, by the then Hornsey Borough Council, of several zones of public housing.

Since c.2003 much of Stroud Green has been designated as a Conservation Area (Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) Act 1990), defining the areas as: "the triangular area enclosed by Stroud Green Road and the Haringey/Islington border to the south and west, Mount View Road to the north, and the railway line to the east" (see the full rationale below: "Twenty-first-century appreciation"). This geographical zone seems to mirror the area referred to as Stroud Green throughout the "Victoria County History of Middlesex" (1980), which, unless otherwise indicated, is used as the basis for much of the historical data provided here.

). [See p.6 of Stokes, Malcolm (2008) 'The Boundaries of South Hornsey' in "Bulletin of The Hornsey Historical Society " No 49. ISBN 0955 8071. pp. 2-8. ]

The area's principal thoroughfare, Stroud Green Road is well known for its range of shops and restaurants.

History

Origin of the name

across the southern tip of the area. 'Hornsey, including Highgate: Introduction' in "A History of the County of Middlesex: Volume 6: Friern Barnet, Finchley, Hornsey with Highgate (1980), pp. 101-103. URL: http://www.british-history.ac.uk/report.aspx?compid=22515". Date accessed: 22 March 2008.]

Land ownership

The records are sparse. In 1811 it was said that "Stroud Green, which lies to the North-west of the situation formerly occupied by the Boarded River, This is a reference to the New River, then in a wooden viaduct at this point. See: "New River".] is a long piece of common land belonging to the copyholders of Highbury Manor".Nelson, John (1811) "The history, topography and antiquities of the parish of St. Mary Islington in the county of Middlesex : including bibliographical sketches of the most eminent and remarkable persons who have been born, or have resided there" London : Printed for the author by John Nichols] While, as we shall see, details do exist of some named 'owners' it is not entirely clear to the legal layman the exact status of their possession.

In the sixteenth century, part of Stroud Green was owned by John Draper (d. 1576), brewer of London. At his death in 1576 John Draper's estate consisted of 73 acres between Stroud Green Road and Brownswood (the area around present-day Brownswood Road, south of Finsbury Park) and 32 acres between the latter and Green Lanes. It was held variously by his heirs, presumably his sons in 1577, descending by his eldest son Thomas (d. 1612), to the latter's sons Thomas (d. 1631), Robert (d. 1642), and Roger. In 1636 it was held jointly by Thomas's widow Lady (Sarah) Kemp, Robert, and Roger and by 1656 by Roger alone. It was apparently among the lands that he devised to his brother Robert's son Thomas (d. 1703), later a baronet, who apparently alienated it.

Sir William Paul of Bray (Berks.), Bt. (d. 1686), owned 110 acres. This portion of Stroud Green was then held by his widow, who married Sir Formedon Penystone, Bt., c. 1709, and it passed under Sir William's will to the Paul family. It was presumably among the property inherited from William Paul before 1727 by his daughter Catherine, wife of Sir William Stapleton, Bt. (d. 1740), which apparently then descended to her son Sir Thomas Stapleton, Bt. (d. 1781). By 1796, however, the western portion of 81 acres was held by a Mr. Lucas, who was succeeded in 1808 by John Lucas, who was the owner in 1822. It belonged to a William Lucas in 1823 and was enfranchised for James Lucas in 1856. It was owned by Joseph Lucas between 1861 and 1876 and was finally built over by 1880.'Hornsey, including Highgate: Growth before the mid 19th century' in "A History of the County of Middlesex: Volume 6: Friern Barnet, Finchley, Hornsey with Highgate (1980), pp. 107-111. URL: http://www.british-history.ac.uk/report.aspx?compid=22517". Date accessed: 22 March 2008.]

The Corporation of Stroud Green

Eighteenth-century London newspapers record details of a group known as the Corporation of Stroud Green.

On Monday the Ancient Corporation of Stroud Green held the annual feast at Mr. Dobney's near the New-river-head, at which were present upwards of two hundred members; after which Mr Kelly of Chancery-lane was elected Mayor for the year ensuing, and an elegant entertainment was provided on the occasion.
("Gazetteer and New Daily Advertiser" (London) Thursday 2 August 2 1764; Issue 11 042)

Apparently such so-called Corporations were not unusual at this time, and indeed formed something of an informal regional network, for in 1754 we read:

Last Monday evening the Mayor, Sherriffs and Aldermen of Stroud Green paid their annual Visit to the Mayor, Sheriffs and Aldermen of Kentish Town, at their Council-Chamber at the Bell in Little Shire-lane, near Temple Bar; when the Healths of his Majesty, and all the Royal family, were drank, under a triple Discharge of their Canon, and the night was concluded with the greatest Demonstrations of joy and Friendship by the Gentlemen of both of the loyal Corporations.
("Public Advertiser" (London) Wednesday 20 November, 1754; Issue 6259)

Their purpose seems to have been (at least in part) an annual beating of bounds relating to the establishment of property ownership. Thus, the Corporation may be a manifestation of the copyholders of Highbury Manor (already mentioned). The establishment of property rights, even today, is an important and serious matter for those concerned, but in Stroud Green it seems that its undertaking was (occasionally) not without a funny side, as we learn from an account of the following year's meeting:

On Monday last, according to annual Custom, the Mayor, and Aldermen of the respectable Corporation of Stroud Green held their Court of Conservancy at Stapleton Hall (the capital Mansion on what is humourously called their Estate) near Mount Pleasant, where a sumptuous Repast was prepared for their reception of their present Sheriffs. After Dinner several loyal Healths were drank, and the Hall resounded with the names of Granby and Pitt. The whole was conducted with all [reasonable] Decorum; but what contributed in a great Measure to damp their Satisfaction was the lnebriety of his Worship's Sword-Bearer, who having imbibed large Drenches of Claret and Hock, was rendered unfit to scale the Gates and Stiles belonging to their Grounds, which, in a formal Procession, they yearly Survey, and by tumbling over Neck and Heels, unhappily lost the Insigne of his Office, viz. a Gold Sword about four inches long, of no inconsiderable Value.
("Public Advertiser" (London) Friday 5 July, 1765; Issue 9624)

Whatever the Corporation's official tasks might have been, they always seem to have had a good time:

On Monday last the mayor, aldermen and recorder of Stroud Green, assisted by the sheriffs, held a court of conservancy, according to ancient custom, at the Green Man on Stroud Green, known by the name of Stapleton Hall, where an elegant entertainment was provided by the mayor, and many loyal toasts were drank in honour of his Majesty's birthday. After dinner they returned to their mansion house, the Crown, in the lower-street, Islington, and the evening concluded with a ball, and every demonstration of joy suitable to the happy occasion.
("Middlesex Journal or Chronicle of Liberty" (London) Tuesday 6 June 6 1769; Issue 29)

The last evidence of the Corporation (at least in newspaper sources) shows that c.1775-76 the organisation was meeting at the London Spaw tavern in Clerkenwell, followed by an evening at the nearby Sadlers Wells theatre. [Such newspapers references can be found in the British LIbrary's onine database of 17th- and 18th-century newspapers ] The move was probably the result of the sale of the "Green Man" tavern at Stapleton Hall in August 1769, when it seems to have reverted to use as a farm house. (See "Stapleton Hall" in the section "Interesting Buildings", below)

Urban development

Nineteenth-century growth

(West) station, across the northern edge of Stroud Green.

In effect, modern-day Stroud Green dates from the 19th century. New building at first was slow, perhaps partly because of poor sewerage, until the 1860s. Stapleton Hall remained the only house in Hornsey between Crouch End and Seven Sisters Road as late as 1861, but the streets of Islington were fast approaching towards Stroud Green Road, along the east side of which now stood several large houses. Rapid growth followed the opening of local stations at Seven Sisters Road (Finsbury Park), Crouch Hill, and Crouch End, as well as the new Stroud Green station.

In 1863 Joseph Lucas of Stapleton Hall leased land for building and in 1868 Mount Pleasant Road (now Mount Pleasant Crescent and Mount Pleasant Villas) had been built from the corner of Stapleton Hall and Stroud Green roads over the Tottenham & Hampstead Junction Railway. In due course the Edgware, Highgate & London Railway would traverse that part of the road that is now Mount Pleasant Villas (see 'Railways', below).

Building development in Stroud Green was so rapid that the 1871 census was already considered unreliable by 1875, yet country houses were still being built in other parts of Hornsey parish until the 1880s; Muswell Hill and Fortis Green were still little altered by 1891.

It was during the building boom of the 1870s that Stroud Green had started to become part of an (even today) ill-defined urban area called Finsbury Park, which included Brownswood Park and parts of Islington.

There were 25 houses in Mount Pleasant Road in 1871. To the south, a grid of streets was already planned in 1868 and Osborne Road and Albert Road and Upper Tollington Park contained 49 houses in 1871, by which time the roads in the angle of land bordered by Stroud Green Road and the Great North Railway were largely built up. Stapleton Hall Road had been laid out by 1876 and Ferme Park Road was driven over the 'Northern Hog's Back' ridge towards Tottenham Lane in 1880.

By 1877 Stroud Green was a new and fast-growing neighbourhood with a strong community feeling and its own newspaper. It was now inhabited mainly by commuters with third- and second-class season tickets.

The adjacent area of Harringay was built-up in the 1880s, while nearby Ferme Park and the Crouch Hall estate were partly built up by 1894. By 1894 there was a street fire station in Stapleton Hall Road, Stroud Green, and there were 26 alarm posts throughout the district. Building continued as late as 1893 in Stapleton Hall Road and in 1896 the area was virtually built up. No more building was possible.

Twentieth-century decline

In Stroud Green between 1901 and 1911, the population steadily fell. The declining size of families, however, permitted multiple occupation of houses and the provision of flats, which were associated with lower standards as early as 1900. Subdivision of houses caused concern by 1911, not only in Stroud Green but also in North and South Harringay. In 1921 1.35 families on average lived in each house, the trend being especially marked in the south and east and in 1923 linked to working-class immigration from Islington and correlated with a recent increase in poor-law cases. At Stroud Green houses were heavily divided and the district was in decay by c. 1925.

Council's first major post-war rebuilding was at Stroud Green, where most of the land between Victoria Road, Stroud Green Road, and Lorne Road and Upper Tollington Park was cleared. Facing the main road Wall Court, a balconied block much admired when new, was completed in 1947, Lawson, Wiltshire, and Marquis courts and Brackenbury were built in Osborne Road in 1948, and flats in Nichols Close between 1948 and 1952. Wisbech and Fenstanton date from 1953, the flats and shops of Charter Court from 1954, and Hutton Court from 1960. In 1948 Ronaldshay and Wallace Lodge, on opposite corners of Florence and Wallace roads, and Ednam House facing them were built and in 1952 an extension to Ronaldshay was finished. Carlton Court, 64 flats in Carlton Road, dates from 1947. On opposite corners of Oakfield and Connaught roads Connaught Lodge and Churchill Court were completed in 1949 and on the corner of Oakfield and Stapleton Hall roads Norman Court was completed in 1947. The cul-de-sac Osborne Grove was replaced by an old people's home by 1973. In 1974 Ennis and Woodstock roads were reprieved from demolition and in 1976 several yellow-brick terraced houses were being renovated.'Hornsey, including Highgate: Growth from the mid 19th century' in "A History of the County of Middlesex: Volume 6: Friern Barnet, Finchley, Hornsey with Highgate (1980), pp. 111-122. URL: http://www.british-history.ac.uk/report.aspx?compid=22518". Date accessed: 22 March 2008.]

In the 1970s there was an extensive campaign against private landlordism, with Stroud Green being labelled as "Haringey's forgotten inner city" - the campaign was successful in securing large scale municipalisation in the southern end of the ward. Fact|date=March 2008

Twenty-first-century appreciation

In 2003 Haringey Council designated Stroud Green as a Conservation Area. Stroud Green is now regarded as an area of "special character or historic interest, the character and appearance of which it is desirable to preserve or enhance", Section 69 (1)(a) of the Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) Act 1990.

The rationale for this decision was as follows:

The late 19th-century residential development in Stroud Green represents Haringey's most diverse examples of Victorian domestic architecture concentrated in any one area. The triangular area enclosed by Stroud Green Road and the Haringey/Islington border to the south and west, Mount View Road to the north, and the railway line to the east, includes a significant variety of 19th-century house types. These range from elegantly crafted artisans cottages to Gothic-revival and Italianate-renewal terraces, to Queen Anne style semi-detached houses.

The architecture of the initial phases of development varies to reflect the Victorian styles in vogue at the time. The early three-storey 1870s houses along Upper Tollington Park, Florence Road, Victoria Road, and Mount Pleasant Villas, for example, are predominantly Gothic. They display pointed or round arch windows with Venetian carved foliage, polychromatic brickwork and prominent gables with ornamental bargeboards. Other houses from the same period, and in the same streets, are plainer and combine more subtle Gothic detailing with classically inspired features such as Italianate eaves. A particularly attractive street from the first phase of development is Mount Pleasant Crescent, which is lined by two-storey terraces. These compact dwellings are exceptional for their attractive tri-partite Venetian-style windows with contrasting red brick arcades, and slender cast-iron columns.

The second phase of building, along the south-eastern slopes of the Hog's Back ridge, was delayed for several years by the landowner, Charles Turner of Stapleton Hall who strongly resisted development near his estate. When building finally began after Turner's death in 1882, the prominent house style in England hasd moved away from the Gothic-inspired houses of the 1870s towards the Norman Shaw influenced 'Queen Anne' style that would dominate the 1890s and early 1900s. The change in style is evident along the north part of Stapleton Hall Road, and in the streets beyond, where the houses are characterised by the use of red brick throughout, simple canopied porches, and multi-panelled decorative sash windows. The open setting of the Hog's Back ridge is used to its full advantage and development here is generally less dense than in the first phase. Trees, hedges, and planting add considerably to the setting of the houses and are in the spirit of the 'Sweetness and Light' philosophy behind the Queen Anne style.

In general the architecture of Stroud Green remains intact and has survived the damaging changes that have eroded the character of other neighbourhoods in the borough, e.g. replacement windows, loss of boundary walls, unsympathetic cladding &c. It is a unique example of a small area exhibiting the full range of domestic building styles from around 1870 to the end of the 19th century. This section is based on information in a booklet called "Proposed Stroud Green Conservation Area", circulated in 2003 to all Stroud Green residents by Mike Dunn (Haringey Council Conservation Officer, Planning and Enrinmental Control Service, 639 High Road, London. N17 8BD), during the consultation prior to awarding Conservation Area status.]

Transport

Roads

The principle thoroughfare through the area is called Stroud Green Road. It has ancient origins, and formed part of an ancient northern route out of London, which forks south of Stroud Green at Clissold Park. The fork to the east (known as Green Lanes) extended along the whole eastern edge of Hornsey parish towards Bush Hill, Enfield and was turnpiked in 1789 in spite of Hornsey's opposition. The western branch followed the 'old' north road which stretched northward to Crouch End via Mountgrove Road (Gipsy Lane in 1872), Blackstock Road (still called Boarded River Lane in 1849), Stroud Green Road, and Crouch Hill. These last two were known as Tallingdon Lane between 1593 and 1795. In 1795 Tallingdon Lane was noted as a rough track, which Blackstock Road apparently still was in 1832.

parish were said to be impassable in winter. There were legacies towards maintaining main routes through the area, such as Brokhersthill (perhaps Crouch Hill), and the way from Highgate to St. Mary's church, and other local byways. However, in general it seems that maintenance suffered because Hornsey shared the responsibility for many of its far-flung roads with other authorities; not least, in the case of Stroud Green Road, with the neighbouring parish of Islington, which shared a border here.

Repairs to Stroud Green Road, were remembered as bad in 1593, while statute duty was often neglected in the 17th and 18th centuries, particularly in the period 1679 to 1686, and in 1792 another attempt was made to exact labour rather than money to try and improve the situation. Thus, for example, in 1764 we read:

The inhabitants of Crouch End, Mount Pleasant and Stroud Green, have come to a resolution, by a voluntary subscription, to repair the roads from the first-mentioned place to the last, which at present are in a very ruinous condition, a great number of men being employed for that purpose.
("Lloyd's Evening Post" (London) Monday 12 March 1764; Issue 1041)

In 1811 is was noted that the road was well made with 'quickset hedges on both sides', [Gay, Ken (2002) "Stroud Green and Finsbury Park: A Walk". London : Hornsey Historical Society. ISBN 0 905794 19 2. p. 1.] but such positive reports seem to be few.

Throughout the 19th century disputes continued between the parishes of Hornsey and Islington over the maintenance of the Stroud Green Road. [See pp. 6-7 of Stokes, Malcolm (2002) 'The Parish Boundary Between Hornsey and Islington' in "Bulletin of The Hornsey Historical Society " No 43. ISBN 0955 8071. pp. 2-8.] It is still the case today that confusion, delays, and occasional wrangles arise over jurisdiction and maintenance of the Stroud Green Road, with the eastern side the responsibility of Haringey Council, and the western side that of Islington Council. `

In 1832 the Seven Sisters Road was built as a turnpike from Islington in a north-easterly direction across the junction of Stroud Green Road with Blackstock Road, towards Tottenham.

Some of the other new streets built in the 19th century were also important lines of communication. Endymion Road, built c. 1875 under the Finsbury Park Act of 1857, connected Stroud Green and Green Lanes north of Finsbury Park, while the new Ferme Park Road, c. 1885, joined Tottenham Lane and Stroud Green.'Hornsey, including Highgate: Communications' in "A History of the County of Middlesex: Volume 6: Friern Barnet, Finchley, Hornsey with Highgate (1980), pp. 103-107. URL: http://www.british-history.ac.uk/report.aspx?compid=22516". Date accessed: 22 March 2008.]

Railways

.

In 1881 theStroud Green station was opened in Stapleton Hall Road.

A local branch line linking Highgate and Alexandra Palace was opened in 1873, but was then closed the same year after the destruction of the palace by fire. It re-opened in 1875 with a new station at Muswell Hill, but continued to be closed for varying periods on several occasions up to 1952.

In 1954 the whole of the line from Finsbury Park to Highgate and beyond was closed to passenger traffic; freight services continued to Muswell Hill until 1956 and to Highgate and Finchley until 1964, the track to the Alexandra Palace being taken up in 1958 and to Highgate in 1970. The track between the station at Finsbury Park and Highgate is now a pedestrian, public right of way called the Parkland Walk.

Education

Education of yesteryear

In 1659 Roger Draper of Stroud Green left £120 to apprentice six poor boys of Hornsey to freemen of London in trades other than those of silk-weaver, tailor, and vintner; premiums of £15 for the master and £5 for clothing and equipping the boy were to be paid, not more than two each year.'Hornsey, including Highgate: Charities for the poor' in "A History of the County of Middlesex: Volume 6: Friern Barnet, Finchley, Hornsey with Highgate (1980), pp. 199-205. URL: http://www.british-history.ac.uk/report.aspx?compid=22532". Date accessed: 22 March 2008.]

. By 1899 it had been bought by a local draper, a Welshman called David Hall, who soon acquired the two adjacent properties (173 and 177), to create a large shop on the ground floor Gay, Ken (2000) "Stroud Green and Finsbury Park: A Walk". London : Hornsey Historical Society. ISBN 0 905794 19 2. p. 30.]

In 1890, Stroud Green had at least 21 private schools, including the forerunners of St. Aidan's Primary School and Hornsey High School for Girls, and there were two denominational grammar schools for boys.

The Anglo-French high school, established c. 1884, had 100 pupils of all ages in Ferme Park Road in 1889 and opened a girls' branch in Ridge Road in 1890. At the northern end of Crouch Hill by 1898 there were schools at nos. 102 and 104, called Durham House and Cecile House, no. 110, preparatory and kindergarten departments of Cecile House, and no. 112, Darra House. Other schools in Stroud Green included Hornsey Rise College, Victoria Road, in 1872, Rothbury House college, for day-boys, in 1879, and Victoria College, Florence Road, in the 1880s. Frederick Newcombe, who conducted a collegiate school in Muswell Hill Road, apparently had moved from Stroud Green.

and had 215 children on the roll.

as a girls' counterpart to the nearby Stationers' school for boys and in 1915 it moved to new buildings in Weston Park. Hornsey High School was reorganized as part of the comprehensive Hornsey school for Girls and in 1972 its former premises passed to the Stationers' school.

St. Peter-in-Chains Roman Catholic school for infants was open by 1959 in Elm Grove, close to St. Gilda's junior school. Originally independent, it was Voluntary Aided in 1969 and had 206 infants on the roll in 1975.

The position for those reliant on free education was more precarious. A report of 1890 showed that secondary education for the sons of the poor of Stroud Green was being provided by local churches. A grammar school for 'sons of parents of limited means' occupied an iron room adjoining Holy Trinity church, Stroud Green, in 1890. It had a junior department in 1909, when prospectuses were available at the Vicarage. A Baptist grammar school used the Victoria Hall, Stapleton Hall Road, also in 1890.

Until the end of the 19th century there was no free, State provision in Stroud Green for younger children. Indeed, in 1890 middle class families around Oakfield Road opposed any public elementary school. Similar hostility was later shown on the Harringay Park estate, where house purchasers were not told by the British Land Co. that the local school board as early as 1883 had bought a site between Falkland and Frobisher roads. Attacked by builders and householders in both areas and by the vicars of St. Paul's and Holy Trinity, the board wavered throughout the 1880s. Meanwhile, elementary-age Stroud Green children were forced to attend schools in neighbouring education authorities, becoming known as 'border children'. Tottenham had over 100 Hornsey pupils in 1889 the problem of 'border children' grew worse, and the London board eventually refused admission to 200 Stroud Green pupils in 1892, prompting the Education Department to remonstrate with Hornsey.

Stroud Green Board School eventually opened in temporary buildings in Stroud Green Road in 1894. From 1896 it used a new building in Woodstock Road, with accommodation for 1,351 boys, girls, and infants on separate floors. It was designed by Arnold Mitchell and A. M. Butler.Gay, Ken (2000) "Stroud Green and Finsbury Park: A Walk". London : Hornsey Historical Society. ISBN 0 905794 19 2. p. 13.] There were 1,052 places by 1932, when the school was reorganized into a senior mixed or secondary modern school with 346 places, a junior mixed with 408, and an infants' with 344. The seniors were later absorbed into Bishopswood, leaving the board's building to Stroud Green junior and infants' schools, with 320 and 180 children on their rolls in 1975.

Under the Education Act of 1902 Hornsey became a Part III authority, responsible for elementary education. The new education committee, met from 1903 until 1920 at no. 206 Stapleton Hall Road. The committee took pride in relatively small classes, taught only by qualified teachers with good salaries. It vainly sought responsibility for secondary education in 1904 and conducted its own census into the needs of children beyond the age of 15 in 1905-6. Finding that provision was dependent on private schools, Hornsey co-operated closely with Middlesex County Council in taking over and enlarging the poorer ones. Funds from the Pauncefort charity were available from 1903 to support three, later five, girls at secondary schools and a further income was derived from the Hornsey educational foundation. Advanced courses were introduced at elementary schools, Stroud Green and South Harringay, in 1920 and extended in 1923. 'Hornsey, including Highgate: Education' in "A History of the County of Middlesex: Volume 6: Friern Barnet, Finchley, Hornsey with Highgate (1980), pp. 189-199. URL: http://www.british-history.ac.uk/report.aspx?compid=22531". Date accessed: 22 March 2008.]

Education today

For details of education in Stroud Green, London see the London Borough of Haringey article.

Religion

Anglicans

The first Anglican church of Holy Trinity, Stroud Green, was built in stages between 1880 and 1885 on the corner of Granville and Stapleton Hall roads, and replaced a crowded temporary hall. Holy Trinity, Stroud Green had become a separate district in 1881, assigned from the chapelries of Holy Innocents and St. John and from Hornsey parish.

), it was of brick with stone dressings and had a nave, south aisles, transepts, vestry, south porch, and west spirelet.

Although built at only moderate cost, the interior was dignified and spacious. There were 1,200 seats in 1903, when a morning service was attended by 1,051 and an evening service by 1,210. Following war damage the church was declared unsafe c.1951 and pulled down in 1960. The site was re-used for a hall, Vicarage, and public garden. The adjoining red-brick hall in Granville Road was adapted as the church, with a western portico and spirelet.

services. The church continues to be firmly within the catholic tradition of the Church of England, as to which see the church's website (below).

The current parish boundaries were fixed in the 1980s when the benefice of Holy Trinity, Stroud Green was merged with that of the now defunct St Luke's, Hornsey.

The patron is the Bishop of London. 'Hornsey, including Highgate: Churches' in "A History of the County of Middlesex: Volume 6: Friern Barnet, Finchley, Hornsey with Highgate" (1980), pp. 172-182. URL: http://www.british-history.ac.uk/report.aspx?compid=22527. Date accessed: 22 March 2008.]

Baptists

chapel, in Stapleton Hall Road, was established in 1878 and registered as Crouch Hill Chapel by Particular Baptists in 1884. A red-brick building designed by J. Wallis Chapman in the Early Geometric style style,Gay, Ken (2002) "Stroud Green and Finsbury Park. A Walk". London : Hornsey Historical Society. (ISBN 0 905794 19 2) p.25] with adjoining halls, was opened in 1889. There were 280 worshippers in the morning and 396 in the evening on one Sunday in 1903. There were 475 seats in 1928, by which date the church had joined the London Baptist Association, and 460 in 1975. 'Hornsey, including Highgate: Protestant nonconformity' in "A History of the County of Middlesex: Volume 6: Friern Barnet, Finchley, Hornsey with Highgate" (1980), pp. 183-189. URL: http://www.british-history.ac.uk/report.aspx?compid=22529. Date accessed: 22 March 2008.] The chapel has since been converted into leasehold apartments known as Old Church Court, with the chapel having moved its worship into what was once the chapel's hall.Gay, Ken (2002) "Stroud Green and Finsbury Park. A Walk". London : Hornsey Historical Society. (ISBN 0 905794 19 2) p.26]

Roman Catholics

of the Lateran in 1976. 'Hornsey, including Highgate: Roman catholicism' in "A History of the County of Middlesex: Volume 6: Friern Barnet, Finchley, Hornsey with Highgate" (1980) pp. 182-183. URL: http://www.british-history.ac.uk/report.aspx?compid=22528. Date accessed: 22 March 2008] The parish is now served by Westminster diocesan clergy.

Ceylon and India General Mission

In 1912, no. 121 Stapleton Hall Road, at the junction with Elyne Road, was a registered office of the Ceylon and India Mission (Secretary, David Gardiner).Murray, Ian. (n.d.) 'Commentary' in "Finsbury Park and Stroud Green 1912". Series: Old Ordnance Survey Maps, The Country Edition, London Sheet 20. ISBN 0 85054 076 3] .

Christian Scientists

Christian Scientists were meeting at no. 137 Stroud Green Road from c.1912 until 1923.

After this date, and until the Second World War, they seem to have met at nos. 60 or 58 Crouch Hill .

In 1936 there was also a Christian Scientist reading room at no. 13 Topsfield Parade, Crouch End. 'Hornsey, including Highgate: Protestant nonconformity' in "A History of the County of Middlesex: Volume 6: Friern Barnet, Finchley, Hornsey with Highgate" (1980), pp. 183-189. URL: http://www.british-history.ac.uk/report.aspx?compid=22529. Date accessed: 22 March 2008.]

Congregationalists

was founded to serve Stroud Green, on land at the corner of Mount View Road and Granville Roads, which was acquired with help from the local Park, Highgate, and Tollington Park Congregational chapels.

A hall was opened in 1887 and used for worship until the completion of a building in the Decorated style, of red brick faced with terracotta, which in 1893 was to seat 1,000.

The pastorate was said to be prosperous and on one Sunday in 1903 there were attendances of 330 in the morning and 231 in the evening. The church was closed and demolished in 1935. 'Hornsey, including Highgate: Protestant nonconformity' in "A History of the County of Middlesex: Volume 6: Friern Barnet, Finchley, Hornsey with Highgate" (1980), pp. 183-189. URL: http://www.british-history.ac.uk/report.aspx?compid=22529. Date accessed: 22 March 2008.]

Plymouth Brethren

In 1903 Plymouth Brethren met at no. 45 Woodstock Road, with morning attendances of 85 and 43 and evening attendances of 68 and 32 respectively.

Smaller groups worshipped at no. 33 Stroud Green Road, 'Hornsey, including Highgate: Protestant nonconformity' in "A History of the County of Middlesex: Volume 6: Friern Barnet, Finchley, Hornsey with Highgate" (1980), pp. 183-189. URL: http://www.british-history.ac.uk/report.aspx?compid=22529. Date accessed: 22 March 2008.] in premises occupied by a Mrs Harding, and recorded in the Census of 1911 as the "Finsbury Park Mission".Murray, Ian. (n.d.) 'Commentary' in "Finsbury Park and Stroud Green 1912". Series: Old Ordnance Survey Maps, The Country Edition, London Sheet 20. ISBN 0 85054 076 3]

Interesting Buildings

The Old Dairy

This building on the corner of Hanley Road and Crouch Hill is now a pub, but was once owned by the Friern Manor Dairy Company as a development of the site that they already owned.

The minutes of the London County Council's Building Act Committee record:

That the application of Mr J Young & Co, on behalf of the Friern Manor Dairy Farm Co Ltd, for the consent of the Council for the erection of an addition to the rear of number 127 Hanley Road, Stroud Green, to abut on Crouch Hill, be granted subject to the condition that the addition therein referred to be commenced within six months and completed within 18 months from the 30 day of September, 1890. 'Notes and News June 1999' in "Greater London Industrial Archaeology Society" on-line journal URL: http://www.glias.org.uk/news/182news.html#K. Date accessed: 22 March 2008.]

The exterior wall that faces onto Crouch Hill, comprises a remarkable set of seven, unique, anonymous sgraffitto panels (c.1890), with picturesque illustrations of: Milk Delivery (ancient); Milk Delivery (modern); In the Country; Milk Cooling; Making Butter; Milling; Grazing.Brazil, David (1987) "Naked City: 150 Faces of Hidden London" London: Macdonald Queen Anne Press. p.32. For a detailed history see: Hinshelwood, John (1999)"The Old Dairy at Crouch Hill". London : Hornsey Historical Society. ISBN 0 905794 234]

tapleton Hall

Stapleton Hall is situated on Stapleton Hall Road near the junction with Hanley Road, Stroud Green Road, Mount Pleasant Crescent and Crouch Hill. It was first mentioned in 1577, and was extended or rebuilt in 1609, apparently by Sir Thomas Stapleton whose initials appeared on date stones and panelling, and presumably was occupied by Stapleton. A Sir William Stapleton, Bt., was the landowner until his death in 1745, and the property then apparently passed to Sir Thomas Stapleton, Bt. (d. 1781).

As we have already seen (in the section above, about the Corporation of Stroud Green) by the 1760s the building was in use as a tavern, sometimes known as "The Green Man".

In 1759 the death of the landlord was reported:

Mr Rogers, master of the Green Man at Stroud Green. As he was riding thro' Islington he dropt from his horse, and expired immediately.
"Universal Chronicle or Weekly Gazette" (London) Saturday9 June 9 1759; Issue 63)

In August 1769 it was announced that the tenant, a Mrs. Rogers (who was presumably the widow of Mr Rogers), was to auction the contents, which gives us a nice impression of the place:

All the genuine Household Furniture, Fixtures &c, belonging to Mrs. Rogers, at the Green Man at Stroud Green, near Mount Pleasant, in the parish of Hornsey; consisting of 14 bedsteads with furnitures, featherbeds and bedding to ditto, two eight-day clocks, a large quantity of kitchen furniture, a brewing copper, and the utensils of the brew-house, sundry ranges, and other fixtures, two carts, three fine cows, two pigs and sundry other effects.
("Gazetteer and New Daily Advertiser" (London) Saturday 26 August, 1769; Issue 12 632)

At some point before 1776 it appears to have been functioning as a farm for then we read another sale notice:

Messr ELDERTON give notice, that the Lease of the Farm, late Mr Seddon's, jun. known by the name of Stapleton Hall at Stroud Green near Holloway, between Islington and Highgate, will be put up for sale [...] after which will follow the dispersal of the horses, cows, hogs, farming utensils, and three very large ricks of extraordinary fine hay. The sale of furniture will begin precisely at 11 o'clock.
("Morning Chronicle and London Advertiser" (London) Thursday, 7 November 7 1776; Issue 2330)

This history seems to be borne out by the fact that in 1811 we read that at Stroud Green "there is an old farm house ... ":

called Stapleton Hall, and which was formerly the property and residence of Sir Thomas Stapleton, of Grey's Court, in the county of Oxon, Bart. an antient family, remarkable for the number of eminent men it has produced. In the building are his initials, with those of his wife, and the date 1609. It was afterwards converted into a publick house, and within memory had in front the following inscription: "Ye are welcome all To Stapleton Hall". Mr. William Lucas is the present occupier of the house, together with a farm of more than 80 acres of land contiguous thereto.Nelson, John (1811) "The history, topography and antiquities of the parish of St. Mary Islington in the county of Middlesex : including bibliographical sketches of the most eminent and remarkable persons who have been born, or have resided there" London : Printed for the author by John Nichols]

Certainly, press announcements in the later eighteenth century indicate that Stapleton Hall farm was the venue for a number of agricultural auction sales, mostly of hay and field crops such as oats and barley, and occasionally of farm equipment and furntiure. However, from these references it is not possible to know if these last items were the property of the tenants of Stapleton Hall or of nearby properties. [Such newspapers references can be found in the British Library's on-ine database of 17th- and 18th-century newspapers ]

Between 1856 and 1884 Stapleton Hall was occupied by Charles Turner (d. 1892), member of a prominent farming family and later of nearby Womersley House. The hall had become the Stroud Green Conservative club by 1888, and in 1962 was bought by the club, which still occupied it in 1978. In the 1980s it was noted that early-17th century panelling had been reset in a short back wing, and parts of the building may be of that date. The main range is probably 18th-century but was re-fronted in the early- or mid-19th century. More recent alterations have included the demolition of an annexe towards the street and the addition of a modern clubroom at the rear.'Hornsey, including Highgate: Other estates' in "A History of the County of Middlesex: Volume 6: Friern Barnet, Finchley, Hornsey with Highgate (1980), pp. 146-149. URL: http://www.british-history.ac.uk/report.aspx?compid=22522". Date accessed: 22 March 2008.]

The house has since been much altered and converted into leasehold apartments, with more newly built in the grounds.

The Telephone Exchange

's local exchange, and public call office; an essential public amenity in the days before widespread domestic telephone ownership.Gay, Ken (2000) "Stroud Green and Finsbury Park: A Walk". London : Hornsey Historical Society. ISBN 0 905794 19 2. p. 9.]

Interesting (but absent) Buildings

cala Cinema

North of the present-day Wells Terrace bus terminus at Finsbury Park station, is a small industrial estate that replaced the former Great Northern Railway Coal and Goods depot.

The old brick building that was immediately on Stroud Green Road (officially 15 The Parade) and until 2008 in use as a factory trading under the name "Peter Phillips", was the Scala Cinema (architect H. W. Horsley). It opened in 1914 (replacing the former Stroud Green Hall), and sat 700 people. The auditorium ran parallel with the road, with the rake provided by the gentle, natural drop of the land. In 1920 it was renamed the New Scala Cinema, but closed in 1924. ["Scala" in 'The London Project'. London : The AHRB Centre for Film and Television Studies, Birkbeck College, University of London.< http://londonfilm.bbk.ac.uk/view/venue/?id=602>, last accessed 1 May 2008.]

Since closing as a cinema the building had a chequered history: billiard hall, wartime factory, Irish dancing school, and whist hall, before being turned to light industrial use.Gay, Ken (2000) "Stroud Green and Finsbury Park: A Walk". London : Hornsey Historical Society. ISBN 0 905794 19 2. p. 8.] It was demolished without any fuss in June 2008.

troud Green Assembly Rooms

On 19 November 1895, the London County Council Committee for Theatres and Music Halls refused an application from a Mr A. Bedborough, on behalf of Mr W. Andrews, to build:

a concert hall in Stroud Green, on the north-west side of Stapleton-hall-road, Stroud Green, with three shops at the rear to abut upon Mount Pleasant road [...] as no open spaces are shown to be provided at the rear of the intended shops [...] but that the applicant be informed that a further application for consent to the frontage only of the building might be favourably considered.
The Era (London) Saturday 30 November 30 1895; Issue 2984) ["The Era" was a weekly newspaper about theatre, actors, music hall, and all related matters. It was published and printed in London from 1837 to 1939. Its equivalent now would be "The Stage", although it is apparent, when looking through the archives, that it was far more 'indepth' than "The Stage" is today. ]

It would seem that nothing more was heard until 17 March 1896 when, at a meeting of the same committee, several sets of drawings were submitted as plans for the 'assembly rooms or concert hall' to be built:

at Stroud Green between Stapleton Hall road and Mount Pleasant road. The premises would consist, on the ground floor of four shops, and on the first floor of a hall for which it was intended to apply for a music and dancing licence. The shops would have fireproof ceilings constructed of rolled iron joist and concrete separating them from the hall, which would have seating capacity for 280 persons. There would be two staircases delivering from the hall, one into Stapleton Hall road, and the other into Mount Pleasant road.
The Era (London, England), Saturday, March 21 1896; Issue 3000 ["The Era" was a weekly newspaper about theatre, actors, music hall, and all related matters. It was published and printed in London from 1837 to 1939. Its equivalent now would be "The Stage", although it is apparent, when looking through the archives, that it was far more in depth than "The Stage" is today. ]

A similar notice appeared in the same newspaper, shortly afterwards, on 4 April 1896. On both occasions it was clear that the building works were to be carried out within six months. Was this ever done? It is not immediately obvious from looking at the buildings that occupy the site today.

Womersley House

Perhaps, strictly speaking, not properly part of Stroud Green, Womersely House, close by the St Peter-in Chains catholic church, has already been noted as home to the Turner family, prominent local landowners in the late 19th century, who had previously occupied Stapleton Hall. By the early nineteenth century however it was a hostel for single working women. 'A New Hostel for Women' in "Selections from the Girls' Own Paper 1880-1907" Doughty, Terri (2004) Toronto : Broadway Press. ISBN 155111528X. 157-59] It occupied a plot of land bordered by Elm Grove and Womersley Road, and was finally demolished in the 1960s.Murray, Ian. (n.d.) 'Commentary' in "Finsbury Park and Stroud Green 1912". Series: Old Ordnance Survey Maps, The Country Edition, London Sheet 20. ISBN 0 85054 076 3] The site is currently (March 2008) being re-developed.

External links

For Stroud Green

* [http://uk.groups.yahoo.com/group/SGRA A Yahoo Group] for the Stroud Green Residents' Association . Was live March 2008.
* [http://www.stroudgreen.org/?Page=welcome_page stroudgreen.org A community bulletin board] for Stroud Green. Was live March 2008.
* [http://www.flickr.com/groups/662364@N20/ A Flickr Group] for Stroud Green. Was live March 2008.
* [http://www.holytrinitystroudgreen.org.uk/ Holy Trinity] ; iinformation about Stroud Green's Anglican parish and school. Was live March 2008
* [http://www.stpeterinchains.com/ St Peter-in-Chains] ; information about Stroud Green's Catholic parish, and schools. Was live March 2008
* [http://www.stroudgreen.haringey.sch.uk/ Stroud Green Primary School] & Children's Centre. Was live March 2008

For the wider local area

* [http://hornseyhistorical.awardspace.com/index.htm The Hornsey Historical Society] - meetings, lectures, conservation, publications, and walks.
* [http://finsburypark.wordpress.com/ A blog for Finsbury Park N4] - Aggregator of N4 community information, park activities and events. Was live March 2008.
* [http://www.flickr.com/groups/finsburypark/ A Flickr Group] for Finsbury Park. Was live March 2008

References