The Rectory

The rectory was built around 1450, with 17th and 18th century additions, and stood next to the church, on the site of the Ealing Golf Club 'chipping green'. In 1828 it was said to be unfit for human habitation, but it was renovated by John Farthing and his family in 1845. After 1900 it fell into disrepair again and, despite local attempts to preserve it, was demolished in 1958. It had major structural problems, including dry rot, and it was considered to be beyond economic repair, but in retrospect its demolition seems like cultural vandalism. John Betjeman wrote a powerful letter to the Spectator opposing it, but to no avail. The land was sold to Ealing Golf Club, and helped to provide funds to build the new church, St Mary with St Nicholas, in Federal Road (on the opposite side of Western Avenue) which was consecrated in October 1965. There are many more photos in the Image Gallery section.