Disaster at St Mary Magdalene Woolwich

This time we have pulpits on rails, an inventor of the modern age - and the greatest disaster you never heard of.
Thanks again to Rev Jesse van der Valk for showing me around.

[@Paul9443]

I love the amount of historical detail. That stained glass is gorgeous! Terrible what has happened to the people of on that ship. May God have mercy on them and grant their souls to rest in peace. Amen

[@elainethomson7146]

I agree, the narrative is much clearer with the music subdued. Personally, I don't think music is necessary at all. The subject and narrative are sufficient in themselves. Still very informative and enjoyable though.

[@denisebutler4289]

What a dreadful disaster and we haven't got rid of the sewage outlets even now. I loved that picture of Jesus Christ.

[@Charstring]

Start of the video is fab - cheerful and charismatic clergyman. One of my ancestors spent a lot of time in Woolwich and married there a few times (he was in the Royal Artillery during the tail end of the Napoleonic wars). He used to pop in to St Mary Magdalene for marriages or baptisms of his many children (one wife who died was buried at another church for some reason). All long before the terrible story of the Princess Alice disaster.

[@hereticatious]

Perhaps he also overlapped with St George's Garrison Church up the road - video here kzbin.info/www/bejne/raTddmRro5p5jc0 ?

[@Charstring]

@@hereticatious Thanks very much! I enjoyed that video a lot.

[@BEAR020159]

Another point is the St Mary’s gardens which was originally called Woolwich Gardens was paid for by Passmore Edward’s as the church yard had become very run down. Another interesting point is when the road was widened (Woolwich church street A206) part of the gardens was removed and the bodies were reinterred in Woolwich New Cemetery.

[@hereticatious]

St Mary Woolwich seems to have been unloved in countless ways - right up to the unsympathetic tower block plonked in front of its view of the river. I hope for a happier future (without much expectation it will be fulfilled, I'm afraid).

[@capt.bart.roberts4975]

My dad learnt to swim at Cherry Garden Street stairs between the wars.

[@capt.bart.roberts4975]

I can remember granddad, a foreman lighterman, telling me his father's memories of still finding bodies on the River weeks afterwards. This was when he taught me one of the crowning rules of finding bodies at work, don't drag them inboard. You'll end up having to be a witness at the coroner's court. Always attract The River Police over. The River Police are the oldest police force in the world. Not The MET.

[@hereticatious]

It's genuinely touching that such a direct contact as your's with these horrible events exists. Thanks for the interesting and informative comment.

[@johnrozee2648]

the church was pretty uninspiring, the priest however was rather jolly. But I like how you jumped on the story of the river disaster and ran with that 👍🏻

[@hereticatious]

I think perhaps its a bit better than I made it look - I certainly didn't show everything worth looking at in the church.

[@BEAR020159]

Hi there is a memorial to the Princess Alice disaster in Woolwich old cemetery. When I worked for the Royal Borough of Greenwich some years ago we had it cleaned.

[@hereticatious]

It was always my plan to include that monument in my film - but on the day I ran too late to get to the cemetery before it closed. You've prompted me to go and take a look just now - I've posted some shots on instagram. It's bigger than it looks on wikipedia - but - how can I say this...., it's not exactly the Albert Memorial. Thanks for reminding me to cycle over there!

[@selfrighteous88]

Worst. The worst disaster.

[@hereticatious]

Thanks - fixed.