St Andrew’s Church stands on the corner of Southbridge Rd and Lower Coombe St. and is 152yrs old (2009). The priest and people were responsible for building ‘The Ragged School’ on the site of the current Church Hall back in the 1860’s. The school was moved to the site on Duppas Hill to facilitate the building of Croydon Flyover. The Church and School continue in a healthy relationship on a number of levels.

 Primarily, the students at St Andrew’s School attend Eucharistic Worship at the church in year groups once a term. In this way the head teacher and staff emphasize the fact that it is a voluntary aided school with the Christian faith and ethic at the heart of its daily life, and that prayer and worship are the foundation of that life.

The Parish has three representatives on the Board of Governors at the school, the priest being an ex-officio member. In this way, the parish continues to be part of the decision making process that determines how the school operates being faithful both to its Christian ethic and the demands of the modern, ever changing education system.

 At the same time, the priest and the Parochial Church Council administer the Welstead Trust funds on behalf of the school, renewing and maintaining fabric or resources that might otherwise be beyond the school budget.

Over the past few years the parish have been focusing efforts to renew the mission and fabric of the church. As a result of this work the parish are expecting to begin a building project in the spring that will see the parish delivering a new and exciting space for worship as well as facilities for the parish and local community. 

To learn more about the St Andrew’s  church family visit: www.standrewscroydon.co.uk

God bless. 

Fr Keith Sylvia