History
Earlsfield (formerly Garratt Green) – is an inner south-London suburb in the London Borough of Wandsworth. It is dissected by the River Wandle, a tributary of the River Thames. In past times the area was open farmland with no settlements other than the hamlet of Garratt Green, home to a large water mill. Garratt Lane, running parallel with the Wandle for some distance, is the main thoroughfare of Earlsfield; its name keeps alive a memory of former times.
With the coming of the railways in the 1880s the construction of a railway station required the purchase and demolition of a large house called Earlsfield. One of the conditions of its sale was that the station should be named after the house, and so the area has been known ever since.
From the mid eighteenth century until the 1820s Garratt Green was widely known for the rumbustious carnival atmosphere that accompanied the election of a ‘mayor’ to oversee the management of the common land. These elections were timed to coincide with national elections, but outgrew their original purpose to become something of rallying point for the un-enfranchised classes to have a day out and mock the political system that denied them a vote. Reports talk of tens of thousands attending.
The scene of the election was the Leather Bottle pub, which still stands on Garratt Lane. The elections were immortalised in a popular drama called ‘The Mayor of Garratt’ (1763), written by the actor-dramatist and impresario Samuel Foote (1720-77) who had witnessed the 1761 election.
Saint Andrew’s Church is a Grade II listed building. It was built in 1890 to the designs of the architect E. W. Mountford, in the Victorian Gothic style. It has been admired by Sir John Betjeman, among others, and contains fine examples of metalwork and brickwork.
Garden
In 2010 the church garden was transformed into an accessible garden for the local community. The project was funded by Community Spaces (a Big Lottery fund), SITA Trust, Viridor Credits, the City Bridge Trust and the Ninds Church Trust.
The garden is maintained by volunteers under the direction of a professional gardener. To volunteer, please contact the Parish Office.
Clock
The clock outside the front of the building, overhanging the pavement and dated 1910, is commemorated on a brass plaque inside the church:
To the glory of God and in loving memory of his late Majesty King Edward VII. The clock on this church was erected by the residents of Earlsfield. 8th February 1911.
The clock is now maintained by the local authority. Its chime has been disconnected, and it is now powered by an electric motor in the North turret, with gearing leading to the clock faces. These faces are illuminated at night.
