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Congregational Church, Boston Road, around 1910

The view is north along Boston Road and shows large church buildings dating from 1783 (British History Online website). The same website provides a history of the church and notes it suffered bomb damage in 1944. 'Brentford Past' includes a photo p133 showing substantial damage to the frontage and adds 'this is the oldest surviving chapel in Brentford'.

As at 2012 this is now 'Brentford Free Church' and has a modern hall to the northern side.

The white building in the background is Inverness Lodge and between this and the church was New Grove Mansion: one of its gateways is clear, the 1894 map shows a second entrance from Boston Road. Clifden House, the most distant building with the impressive frontage, was in use by Brentford Urban District Council at the time of the photo (see an early 1900s postcard view). Part of the roof of the new Brentford Library is just visible, between Inverness Lodge and the BUDC building.

The policeman outside the church carries a truncheon.

Trade directories include brief details of places of worship, the two entries that follow are for the Congregational Church, Boston Road:
1898: Rev. William Edwards; (services) 11am and 6.30pm; Wednesday 7pm
1926: Rev. Archibald Francis Thorpe

Published August 2012