Post Reply
Talkback Home

The Tin Church - Sue Hodgkinson (7th Feb 2015  18:47:50) This building formed part of the old Liphook School (now the Library) and Mrs Petter was the teacher who used this building. I attended the School from February 1956 to July 1959 when I left to attend Mill Chase School. When was the Tin Church demolished (I have been informed that it was) and does any one have photos of this iconic building?

Re: The Tin Church - Don Petter (8th Feb 2015  11:18:18) I, too was a pupil there (in my mother's class) somewhen within 1947 to 1950, though I don't know when it was demolished. The Wiki article 'Tin Tabernacle' gives a good background to the origin and survival of the churches. Looking at those listed as surviving in England, I would say the nearest to Liphook's might be that at Faversham: wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Alhampton_-... though without the rather elaborate window over the porch, which looks a later alteration?.

Re: The Tin Church - Don Petter (8th Feb 2015  12:01:36) Sorry! Not Faversham (which is rather more ornate) but Alhampton, which is the picture I gave.

Re: The Tin Church - Terry (8th Feb 2015  12:14:15) Sue, I attended the Liphook Girls and Infants School from 1945 to 1951 when I then went on to Bramshott C of E Boys School. I remember being taught by both Mrs Morris and Mrs Petter in the tin church but also by both and Miss Hyde in the main school building where I also had my first experience of the cane and was occasionally made to stand in the corner, happy memories! We lived only about 100 yards from the tin church and my grandmother cleaned and tidied it every evening for many years, I often went with her and remember playing hide and seek behind the curtains at the back of the organ, it all seemed so big then, in reality it was of course not a very large building. As well as a classroom it continued in use as a church for many years. Some years ago I found a website with a potted history and a photo of the church with the name of the saint it was dedicated to, the name and all the detail I have of course forgotten, I did keep a link to the site at the time but have had at least four computers since, so that link has long been lost, I have searched a few times more recently without success. I'm not sure of the year but It was demolished and the site is used for the library car parking.

Re: The Tin Church - Terry (8th Feb 2015  13:15:06) I have been considering the possible origin of the tin church. The row of six attached houses on the Haslemere road to the right of the entrance to where the church stood, was originally named Belvoir Terrace, or more usually Beaver Terrace, they were originally timber huts which were sited on Bramshott common during the 1914-18 war and used as officers quarters, after the war they were removed from the common and re-erected in their present position, I believe it is quite likely that the tin church was also from the army encampment, known as 'Tin Town', and was moved and re-erected at the same time as 'Belvoir Terrace'. No proof, just a theory.

Re: The Tin Church - Sue Hodgkinson (8th Feb 2015  14:05:02) Terry, thank you for your response to my notice on Talkback. What a pity you have mislaid the computer link - it would have been so memorable to see a photo of the Tin Church after all this time. The curtains at the back of Church were where we had to "go" in a bucket when the weather was very snowy and we could not walk safely down to the toilets of the main school, that were outside. Happy memories! If as you say the Church reverted back to being just that after the School closed, I wonder if the Church Council would have photos? Has anyone investigated this? I no longer live in the area having moved away from Liphook in 1966, but retain such wonderful childhood memories of my time there.

Re: The Tin Church - Sue Hodgkinson (8th Feb 2015  14:20:10) Grayshott Village Archive has revealed something interesting. I wonder if this is "our" Tin Church:- In 1891 an iron church was erected on ground now to the north of the present St. Luke's church. The building was a gift of Mr. Whitaker and the land that of Miss I'Anson. This building then served the local community as the 'temporary' church until the present St. Luke's church was built and opened in September 1899. Following this the building became redundant and was sold for further use at Liphook for £87 and remained as such until the early 1950's.

Re: The Tin Church - Terry (8th Feb 2015  14:49:19) Sue, there was another prefabricated church in Liphook, the Gospel Hall in Tower Road, I had to go there sometimes for Sunday school argh! I really don't remember if it was even partially or entirely constructed of tin, it has since been replaced by a more solid structure. Our tin church was, I believe, still in use as a church well into the 1950s , and later? Interesting point though, it may well have been the one from Grayshott.

Re: The Tin Church - Terry (8th Feb 2015  15:16:25) Sue, I've been reading the Grayshott Archive and I do believe you may well have stumbled onto the origin of the tin church, something triggered my memory while I was reading, St Luke, I think he was the same Saint the tin church was dedicated to which makes sense if the church was simply moved from one place to another, I'd also totally forgotten that we also referred to it as the 'iron room'.

Re: The Tin Church - Terry (8th Feb 2015  15:48:57) Sue, it seems even more likely when one learns how great the connection was between the clergy of St Mary's Bramshott and St.Luke's Grayshott. It's a fair walk from Liphook village to St.Mary's, even by way of the Hangars and it was probably considered that Liphook itself was in need of a church building, Bramshott's clergy would have been well placed to make a deal.

Re: The Tin Church - Pauleen Dowsett nee McGrath (8th Feb 2015  19:39:12) Hello Sue My daughter has just read this thread to me and I wanted to say hello! I went to Headley School and then went onto Mill Chase. We lived in Bramshott and I do remember the Gospel Hall and Sunday School. Hope you are keeping well! Best wishes Pauleen

Re: The Tin Church - Sue Hodgkinson (9th Feb 2015  10:00:51) Terry, Yes I think we may have stumbled on the origin of our Tin Church. If Hampshire County Council demolished the property to make way for the car park that now exists, they must have needed the permission of the owners. Were the original owners the Church of England and they just loaned it for use as the overflow for the school, or did the Church sell it to the Education Department? Whoever the owner was when it was demolished, perhaps they have photos. It would be interesting to find out. Terry, where did you live in Liphook when you and your Mum cleaned it?

Re: The Tin Church - Sue Hodgkinson (9th Feb 2015  10:02:05) Pauleen - Lovely to hear from you via this site. I hope you and John are OK and the clematis still survives. Would love to hear from you - my new address was included with my Christmas card. Sue X

Re: The Tin Church - Terry (9th Feb 2015  12:05:16) Sue, I believe the school playground was originally gifted for use 'in perpetuity' by Mr.Erle to the parish council in the late 1800s. It was actually given for use as a public recreation area hence the 'little rec' as opposed to 'the rec' which is the memorial recreation ground. I don't know if it included the land right up to the Haslemere road, if it did, the parish council owned the land the church was sited on, I don't know. It wasn't my mum that cleaned the church it was my grandmother, we lived with her until 1948 in No.3 Beaver Terrace, around 100 yards away, close enough for me to go back home at playtime on my first day at school, only for me under great protest to be hastily returned! My mother worked as cook for Colonel and Mrs Maude Chappell in Chiltlee Manor from April 1940 until 1944-45 when it was purchased by the MOD, I expect you recall that the manor house is virtually opposite Beaver Terrace.

Re: The Tin Church - Don Petter (9th Feb 2015  16:11:32) I seem to remember Colonel Chappell living in the Chiltlee lodge at the end of Queen Street. I presume he moved there when the manor was sold.

Re: The Tin Church - Terry (9th Feb 2015  17:04:14) Don, Colonel Chappell died in 1943. The Goodridge family lived in Chiltlee Lodge, Fred Goodridge was the gardener until the manor passed into the hands of the MOD

Re: The Tin Church - terry (9th Feb 2015  19:10:45) Sorry Don! Correction Colonel Chappell died in 1948 not 1943 (typing error) Mrs Chappell died in 1965

Re: The Tin Church - Sue Hodgkinson (9th Feb 2015  23:46:45) Terry and Don - this research is getting very exciting and I have contacted the Church of England, Closed Churches Division, to ask if they owned the Tin Church when it was in use by Liphook School, or whether it was sold or given to Hampshire County Council Education Department. Depending on who owned it on demolition, they may hold photos. I will let you know if and when I get a response. Terry, sorry I don't know where Beaver Close is. I left Liphook in 1966 having lived at Admers Crescent, Gunns Farm since 1956.

Re: The Tin Church - Don Petter (10th Feb 2015  08:57:12) Terry, 1948 would be about right, when I was five. The event sticks in my mind as the first time someone nearby in the street had died, and I asked my parents what that actually meant and where did they go. With your family knowledge I'll let you explain about Beaver Terrace. I always assumed it was yet another connection with the Canadians in the First War (and their experience of building in wood?). I suppose since they have been pebble-dashed no-one remembers the name or what is underneath.

Re: The Tin Church - Sue Hodgkinson (10th Feb 2015  09:33:56) Terry - I now remember where Beaver Terrace or Belvoir Terrace as previously known is located. I had a friend who lived in one of these wooden houses and I am desperately trying to remember her name. It will come to me I am sure. If I remember she was slightly disabled, you may remember her. Let's hope we soon learn who owned the Tin Church at the time it was demolished, as I would love to be able to get a photo for the Liphook Archives.

Re: The Tin Church - Terry (10th Feb 2015  10:10:18) Sue, I look forward to hearing the result of your contact with the C of E. Re. The location of Beaver Terrace. Directly opposite the main gateway onto the tin church premises, specifically the gate nearest to the front door, there was/is a vehicle track running alongside the tennis courts, that track allows access only to the gardens of the 6 properties which were then known as numbers one to six Belvoir or Beaver Terrace, number one being immediately adjacent to the main Little Rec and tin church access road off of the Haslemere road and probably only some thirty feet away from the tin church. Don, yes, as explained nearer the top of this thread the terrace was moved en-bloc from Bramshott camp just after WWI. Each unit comprised a passageway from the front door leading to a central hallway off of which there were 4 doorways giving access to 3 bedrooms, or two and a sitting room, and a fair-sized kitchen living room with the only source of heat being from an iron kitchen range which always had a iron kettle simmering away on the hob, there was no bathroom so the kitchen sink and a tin bath in front of the range and an outside flush toilet had to suffice, off the kitchen was a fair sized larder, outside under a veranda and next to the toilet was the coal-shed and finally the wash-house which housed the copper and the wringer. I well remember sheltering from air-raids under the kitchen table and if they were expected at night I would sleep with my gran on a mattress under her iron bedstead, all great fun to me! Between number 3 where we lived and number 4 there had earlier been a water well, I suppose it was concreted over when mains water was eventually connected. For many years there existed a small faded 'Belvoir Terrace' name sign affixed to the end wall of number one, where the Marshall family lived, probably only removed when the modern extension was added.

Re: The Tin Church - Terry (10th Feb 2015  13:36:40) Dozens of Tin Church photo's, unfortunately not Liphook's one, here: www.tintabernacles.com/Archive.html

Re: The Tin Church - Sue Hodgkinson (10th Feb 2015  14:08:19) Terry - The link to the Tin Tabernacles was very interesting and what a shame our Tin Church was not amongst the listing. Below is the response I received from the Closed Church Division of the Church of England which makes interesting reading, as it appears the building was never consecrated as a place of worship:- [note]Dear Sue Thank you for your enquiry. A quick glance at the records held for our department does not produce any results for the tin church at Liphook. As the building was undoubtedly not consecrated, it would not have been caught by the procedures then and now in place for dealing with the closure and re-use of church buildings. As such, the Commissioners would not usually have been involved in the sale or lease transactions you mention. Interestingly Grayshott and Liphook are now in separate dioceses (Guildford and Portsmouth respectively) but I imagine the historic records for both will have found their way to the Hampshire Record Office in Winchester. I imagine that you have already tried there though. I also suggest you re-send your enquiry to the Church of England Record Centre - archives@churchofengland.org . They should be able to provide some further information. I wish you well with your researches. Kind regards Adrian Browning MSc CHE Historic Buildings Specialist[/note] The Hampshire Record Office charges £16.50 per half hour for them to search the archives, so I think this is therefore out of the question. The Archives at the Church of England will respond in about 10 days but reading their leading email, again there will be a charge. I think I have done all that I can to get photos of this building and saddened that I have not got anywhere with my research. Surely someone in Liphook must have a photo hidden away amongst their albums somewhere?

Re: The Tin Church - Jan Roles (10th Feb 2015  21:36:11) I am not sure when the Tin Church was demolished but our daughter was christened there in 1966 by Reverend Souttar. I may have a photo somewhere so will see what I can find. Jan Roles

Re: The Tin Church - Terry (10th Feb 2015  21:59:18) Sue, of course we have been assuming the tin church was used as a C of E church, I never attended a service there so cannot confirm one way or the other, the writer of the letter assumes the church wasn't consecrated (by the C of E) so it may well have been in use by a different religious denomination. On the other hand, if Jan says her daughter was christened in the tin church in 1966 by the Rev Souter surely it was consecrated.

Re: The Tin Church - Sue Hodgkinson (11th Feb 2015  10:58:09) Jan - This sounds very interesting. I hope you can find a photo. Rev Souttar - anyone know any more than this?

Re: The Tin Church - Don Petter (11th Feb 2015  13:36:51) John Souttar was rector of Bramshott from 1963 to 1982, taking over from Canon E A Berrisford.

Re: The Tin Church - John (11th Feb 2015  14:37:13) I once had an altercation with the Rev Souttar when he wouldn\'t allow the guides & brownies to shelter from the rain during a church parade at St. Mary\'s Church. The name struck a chord and later I found that he had actually christened me in 1936 at Holy Cross Greenford Magna in Middlesex. He must have been quite young at the time, and probably better tempered.

Re: The Tin Church - Don Petter (11th Feb 2015  17:27:34) Regarding the 'Grayshott connection', this is what Roger Chatterton Newman has to say in his book 'A Hampshire Parish' (1976) (William Wolf Capes was the rector of Bramshott from 1869 to 1901): 'The pioneering spirit of the I'Anson family at Grayshott, just across the north-eastern bounds of the parish, had resulted in the formation of a chapelry there, and Capes and his curates regularly walked across Ludshott Common to take services in the little mission church. When, at the turn of this century, Grayshott became an ecclesiastical parish in its own right and the more substantial St Luke's Church was built, its predecessor was moved to Liphook, where it served as a daughter church to Bramshott until the modern church centre was built. (The old church was demolished.) Of the little building Capes said: "It is surprising to see so much dignity in so small a space".' This reference to it being demolished when the church centre was built (and maybe its apparent small size) would seem to support Terry's suggestion that this wasn't the 'tin church', but one sited off the Portsmouth Road.

Re: The Tin Church - Terry (11th Feb 2015  18:04:01) Don, unfortunately the 'Church Rooms' in which the Youth Club and the Girl Guides etc., held their meetings and which was adjacent to the Scout hut on the site of what is now the Church Centre, both being demolished when the Church Centre was built, were both of all timber construction.

Re: The Tin Church - Eddie (11th Feb 2015  19:10:52) Hi Sue, I think that he girl you refer to was Carol Powel, she lived in the end house No.6. My Grandmother lived in Number 2. I expect Terry is Terry Smithers, you probably new his younger brother Roger. I went to school with you in the tin church too.

Re: The Tin Church - Sue Hodgkinson (11th Feb 2015  20:36:34) Don, Terry and Eddie - Thank you for for your input to my notice about the Tin Church. Eddie you are right, the friend I remember (slightly disabled) who lived at Beaver (Belvoir) Terrace was indeed Carol Powell. Terry, are you in fact Terry Smithers? If you are I remember when you lived with your family at The Close, Gunns Farm and yes Roger I remember well, a boyfriend of mine for a while. I understand, sadly, that Roger has passed away. Eddie, if you attended the Tin Church with me, who are you? One of the frustrating things about this site and is nobody gives their surnames. What do the people of Liphook have to be scared of I wonder?

Re: The Tin Church - Terry (11th Feb 2015  21:25:37) Eddie, you must be referring to Mr & Mrs. Humphrey, Edith and Albert, though a long time ago now I remember them very well, and his horse, I went with him a few times to Old Barn where he had a small-holding and kept his horse and cart, he had pigs and I think chickens too, for a short time my mother worked for the BBC broadcaster Freddie Grisewood who lived next door. Mrs. Humphrey used to “keep an eye on me” sometimes for my mum and gran. I remember the sun always shining in the summer and we had snow in the winter, not like now, in the winter of 1947 I think because my sister was 3, we had three feet of snow which for a 6 year old was absolute heaven, I remember Mr.Gabler, Reg, slipping over on the front path when he went through our front door, I must have thought it funny but it was probably quite serious. Number 3 was my gran's home and we moved out in 1948. Carol Powell was my oldest friend Derek's sister, he is six months younger but living only 3 houses away we pretty much grew up together, Carol is eight or nine years younger so I didn't really know her.

Re: The Tin Church - Terry (11th Feb 2015  21:28:25) The 1922-3 Guide to Liphook, Bramshott and Neighbourhood, the narrative of which was written by Flora Thompson. Contains a church notice. Church Services: St. Mary's Bramshott, and Liphook Churches, usual Services on Sundays and Weekdays. Clergy:- Rev. E.H.Polehampton M.A. The Rectory, Bramshott. Rev. H.A.Bowles, Hailie, Liphook. The tin church or iron room is not specifically mentioned, however it does specify “and Liphook Churches”. Where were those Liphook Churches if one was not the tin church? The notice continues with the other Liphook church denominations. Roman Catholic Church, Headley Road, Liphook. Lists the services. Resident Priest:- The Rev. R.Atherton, The Holt, Headley Road, Liphook. United Methodist Church, Queen Street, Liphook, until a new church is built. Usual Services. Minister:- Rev. W.H.Webber, The Manse, Liphook. There is no mention of a tin church or iron room anywhere in the guide.

Re: The Tin Church - Terry (12th Feb 2015  00:02:16) Sue and Eddie, Roger was my cousin, his brother is Geoffrey, they moved from Beaver Terrace to Gunn\'s Farm when it was built, and sadly Roger died in February 2007.

Re: The Tin Church - Sue Hodgkinson (12th Feb 2015  10:05:31) Terry - thank you for explaining your relationship to Roger Smithers. How sad that he passed away at such a young age. I remember him so well, his Mod Scooter, my friend Diane Hector was also a girlfriend of his. We all used to go to the ABC Dances. As regards the Tin Church saga, as I am not getting anywhere really about photos of the building, if Jan Roles does have a photo of her daughter's christening in the building, then I would be delighted. Otherwise I will sign off from this search. I have enjoyed what has actually transpired on this site after my posting.

Re: The Tin Church - Terry (12th Feb 2015  10:23:54) Thanks Sue, it is amazing how many dormant memories are dredged up from these kinds of posts, researching the various subjects, although time consuming as I'm sure you've found, can be very therapeutic, like a dog with a bone I shall continue quietly gnawing away in the hope that eventually I'll find answers and a photograph.

Re: The Tin Church - Sue Hodgkinson (12th Feb 2015  16:24:51) Terry, yes the memories keep flooding back. Please do continue with your investigations looking into the Tin Church history. It is very interesting. I still think that the building had to have been consecrated in some way for that Christening to have taken place, but when I mentioned this fact to the Church of England contact I had made, he failed to respond to my suggestion in any way at all. He just confirmed that Rev Souttar was at Bramshott and Liphook from 1963 to 1981. All very strange. Anyway Terry I have enjoyed our communications.

Re: The Tin Church - Sue Hodgkinson (12th Feb 2015  16:26:18) Terry, if you do get some answers please email me at home on:- sue.hodg@btinternet.com

Re: The Tin Church - Terry (12th Feb 2015  19:02:23) I shall Sue.

Re: The Tin Church - Heritage Centre (16th Feb 2015  11:11:03) Looking at our records we have some plans of the "Tin Church" located in Folder reference T8A/7 This drawing can be viewed at the Heritage Centre which is located on the first floor of the Millennium Hall and is open on Monday and Fridays between 10.00 am and noon and on Wednesdays between 2.00 pm and 4.00 pm

Re: The Tin Church - Sue Hodgkinson (16th Feb 2015  13:37:56) To The Heritage Centre - Thank you for your response. As I now live in Nottinghamshire, I am unable to come to see the Plans that you hold of the Tin Church. Terry/Don/any one else - Can you go to the Centre and look at the Plans and let me know what you find. Any photos? email me at:- sue.hodg@btinternet.com

Re: The Tin Church - Don Petter (16th Feb 2015  14:37:39) Sue, We are all three ex-pats (Terry on the South Coast and me in East Sussex) so it's not that easy for us, either. I'd certainly plan to look in at the Heritage Centre next time I'm in Liphook, but have no immediate plans to visit.

Re: The Tin Church - ian powell (2nd Nov 2015  16:36:55) can i please correct one thing carol powell (two lls by the way} is my cousin and she was not disabled , i think you are mixing her up with pat harris who contracted polio and lived in malthouse meadows but apart from that thank you for restoring old memoiries,my first class was also the old church

Re: The Tin Church - Phelim (3rd Nov 2015  11:10:53) The tin church in what in the Library car-park was one of a number around the Parish, all of which I believe were Church of England. There was one down by Old Thorns, one in Hammer Vale near the Prince of Wales (where there is a Church Road where the church used to be), one in Conford and one in Passfield. These were chapels, rather than actual churches, for the local people such as farm workers - weddings and funerals would have had to take place at the Parish Church because that being the only place licensed for them. We have the similar situation with the Church Centre which was not originally licensed for marriages (or funerals) and when a couple wanted to get married there about 15 years ago they had to get special permission from the Bishop.

Re: The Tin Church - Sue Hodgkinson (7th Nov 2015  18:05:22) Phelim - everything you say is true. I knew the Tin Church (Liphook Library site) was a Chapel and previously owned by the Church of England. I contacted them to establish if they were in fact still the owners of the building when it was demolished to make way for the Car Park. They denied that it had ever belonged to them. Someone must have owned it when it was demolished - who did Hampshire County Council contact to get permission to take it down? This is what I have tried to establish. Once I know who the owners were at that time, I had hoped that there would be photos taken of it. This is all I want, photos of the Tin Church to add to my memories of my time living in Liphook. Does anyone have a photo?

Re: The Tin Church - Paul Robinson (7th Nov 2015  19:39:28) It would appear from the descriptions given here that the tin church is one of a great number of 'Tin Tabernacles' that were erected in the mid 1900s to serve communities where churches were yet to be established. They were for the most part Anglican, some Methodists but very few Catholics. They were constructed of galvanised corrugated iron panels to a wood, or sometimes cast iron frame. Many are still in use as churches or village halls. Paul Robinson

Re: The Tin Church - H (8th Nov 2015  09:54:54) It is worth remembering as well that Planning Permissions as we understand them only came into operation post 1947, people did not attach any value to land other than to grow vegetables in wartime. Perhaps the local authority requesistioned rhe land for wartime use such as gun emplacements? A house I previously owned had had a tank stationed in the garden. I have heard stories of people not wanting to own their own home at all in case there was a recurrence of war and they would end up owning a bomb site! It is only in/ after the 50s that mortgages became freely available and home ownership made fashionable.. My parents bought a small house in the south East in the 50s for a few hundred pounds.

Re: The Tin Church - Lyn (10th Apr 2018  13:45:55) Great historical conversations. I too attended the Liphook school and certainly remember schooling in the Tin Church. I went there up until 1959. As for Beaver Terrace, I used to have a friend who lived there in the last house in the terrace and I am still in contact with her and her brother. Powell was their surname. When I was younger, I lived with Mum and Dad in the Lodge at Chiltlee Manor and Dad used to do the grounds maintenance for a few years. We would have lived in the Lodge from around 1953/54, when we arrived from Australia. I knew the 2 boys who lived in the Manor, but I was much younger than them. They were away at boarding school and just came home for school holidays. Sometime after this we moved down to a house right on the Golf course (Quarry Lane) and I used to access the bus to school. Lovely memories.

Re: The Tin Church - Derek (20th Apr 2018  16:05:12) Lyn I am reading your post on the tin church are you sure you have got your dates right, as my Mum and Dad still lived there at this time Dad was the gardener.

Re: The Tin Church / Beaver Terrace - Kev McCarthy (2nd Feb 2019  02:23:02) Terry Hope you are still out there. I've an enquiry about Beaver Terrace in the 1940s and you lived at No.3 you might be able to help me. I'm writing a book about a lady called Beryl Cudlipp who was famous in the 1890s and who died in Knowle Hospital in 1951. Her death cert. gives 5 Beaver Terrace as her home address. This lady never married, so information about her later life is scant. I wonder if you would remember anything about her? It would be a huge help to me if you knew anything at all about her. Regards, Kev McCarthy kevinmccarthy43@hotmail.com

Re: The Tin Church - Karen (3rd Feb 2019  08:12:31) I moved to Liphook in 1959 and was in the class that was in the tin church. Miss Campion was the teacher's name. There was a very smokey fire in the middle of the room. Miss Hyde was the Headmistress -very fond of using the cane! I was confirmed in the church by Rev Souttar in the early 60's. I remember Neville Powell who lived in the end house.

Post Reply
Talkback Home