Church of St Mary, Addington

The Church of St Mary the Blessed Virgin stands in Addington, a village within the London Borough of Croydon. It is an Anglican church with deep historical roots, first recorded on this site in 1080. The church once served as the centre of a large parish that included Shirley, and its oldest parts—the chancel and windows—date from the 11th century. The narrow south aisle, built in the early 13th century, still shows the sloping line where a thatched roof once sat. The tower, now standing in its 1876 form, holds six bells, the oldest likely from 1380, with two more added in the 17th century. The church is worth visiting for its links to the Archbishops of Canterbury of the 19th century, five of whom chose to be buried here. Their memorial stands in the graveyard, marking the vaults and graves beneath the chancel and churchyard. Among them is Archbishop William Howley, buried in the chancel in 1848, and Archbishop Charles Manners-Sutton, laid to rest in a vault under the vestry in 1828. The churchyard also holds war graves for thirteen Commonwealth service personnel from the two world wars. A stained glass window honours the 59th (Addington) Battalion of the Home Guard, dedicated in 1952. Inside, the church follows the Modern Catholic tradition of the Church of England. The chancel was richly decorated in 1898 in memory of Archbishop Edward White Benson. Visitors find the 11th-century chancel and windows still standing, alongside the tower with its restored bells. The graveyard holds memorials to notable families like the Leighs, Lords of the Manor, and clergy who later became bishops. The surrounding area includes Addington village and the escarpment running down from Addington Hills, offering quiet walks and views.