St Mary's, Clapham

The spire of St Mary's church in Clapham is swathed in scaffolding today.

St Mary's was built in 1851 - one of the first Catholic churches to be built in South London since the reformation. Since its foundation it's been served by a community of Redemptorist priests. When it was new a prominent anti-Catholic local resident objected to the ringing of its bells and following a hearing at Croydon Assizes they were silent until 1864.