St Mary Magdalene’s Church was never fitted with fixed pews. Instead, it was furnished with moveable chairs, a deliberate decision reflecting the church’s commitment to social equality. In many Victorian churches, pews were rented by wealthier parishioners, leaving everyone else standing or seated at the back. But here, all seats were equal and flexible, removing social divisions and allowing the space to adapt for worship or community gatherings.

This choice echoes the church’s Anglo-Catholic roots, which combined rich liturgy with a deep concern for the people of the parish it served.

That decision still shapes how the building works. Because nothing is fixed to the floor, the nave clears – and the same room can hold a concert, an exhibition, a wedding or a community gathering, then reset for the next one.

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