St Michael’s The Sanctuary is a church of Universal Truth.
It is non-denominational, and therefore it is not limited to the beliefs of any particular religion or doctrine, but acknowledges that the Divine (God, Source, Creator – whatever name you wish to use) can be seen and understood in many different ways, each of which is a part of the Universal whole.
As you walk up the pathway to the front door of St Michael’s The Sanctuary, it is possible to sense that you are approaching something out of the ordinary, for this is not a traditional church.
On crossing the threshold of this 200-year-old building, you are met with a feeling of warmth and welcome, for you are entering a place where respect and acceptance for the individual are of great importance to us all.
St Michael’s The Sanctuary offers a Sunday service which is open to all. It is registered for Marriages and also offers Naming Ceremonies (yes, we have a font), Memorials and Remembrances.
We offer numerous opportunities for spiritual growth with like-minded individuals through various activities that take place throughout the month.
History
The building was purchased by Miss Margaret Glyn to serve as her music room, housing a valuable collection of antique musical instruments that she and her brothers, Arthur and Gervis, had amassed.
From 1922 until the early 1950s, it served as the venue for regular music soirees, with many concerts featuring well-known artists.
Above the bookcase in the meeting room is a carved oak plaque with the date 1922, commemorating the opening of the music rooms. The music room had until then occupied the building to the left in the Rectory (Glyn House) grounds.
To the right and above the entrance door of the church is the Glyn coat of arms carved for the present Rectory, completed in 1838, and moved here after the death of Sir Gervas Glyn, when the entrance to Glyn House was reconstructed on the present frontage and the new coat of arms carved in brick.
Built into the path approaching the Church from the street is a millstone, reputedly from the Ewell powder mill, which ceased to function in 1875.
The Church of St. Michael, inaugurated in the mid-1950s, occupies a site that, until the early 1900s, had been used as a malting house, first recorded in the middle of the 17th century.
For a short while, the predecessor building housed The George public house during the latter part of the 18th century and the early 19th century.
The old wooden building was purchased around 1820 by the Stone family, maltsters and corn and seed chandlers, and rebuilt in brick, with the present forward section of the building constructed.
It operated in its traditional malt house role for almost a century, the latter few years as storage for grain and seed merchandising. The main part of the building incorporates oak panelling from a later source.