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Multicultural Multifaith Tooting – Part 1
Rachel Husband writes about some of the different faith groups in Tooting. Part 2 is coming soon – please email share@tootingdailyprss.co.uk if you’d like your group to be involved.
If you live or work in Tooting, you’re probably already aware of what a multicultural place it is. This is illustrated in part by the variety of faiths that are represented here, and the places where those congregations gather to worship. It would be impossible to include everyone here — there are so many — but I hope this will at least give you an insight into just how diverse Tooting is.
All Saints is a friendly Anglican church on Brudenell Road, and has recently welcomed a new vicar, the Revd. Mae Christie. They aim to nurture a community of worship and service, where everyone feels welcomed, included and encouraged. It is a place where people can explore Christianity at their own pace and find companionship, help and support.
The church was built in 1906 and is Grade II listed. It’s so striking that it was called ‘The Cathedral of South London’ by the poet John Betjeman and the architectural scholar Nikolaus Pevsner.
At the bottom of Church Lane sits the Idara-e-Jaaferiya Mosque and Community centre, serving the Shia Muslim community. All Muslims commonly believe in One God and his Messenger Prophet Muhammad, but in addition, Shia Muslims also believe in the Prophet’s successors (Imamat or Divine Leadership) appointed by God.
The mosque serves its community with daily and special Friday prayers, funeral services, celebration and commemoration of historic events and an extensive education programme including Sunday school.
The Khalsa Centre Gurdwara (a Sikh temple), is situated in a handsome red brick building on Upper Tooting Rd. We spoke to Mr Satpal Singh about the history of the temple & its place within the South London Sikh community.
How long has the Khalsa Centre Gurdwara been on this site?
The building was purchased in 1984 by founding members of the Centre through voluntary donations from the Sikh community. The building was adapted and subsequently extended to meet the requirements of the congregation and to promote the teachings of the Sikh religion.
How long have you been involved with the Khalsa Centre & how does it serve the Sikh community of Tooting?
I was one of the founding members and have been involved in the Centre since its establishment. I am currently a member of the management team and am responsible for the day-to-day running of the Centre, supported by dedicated volunteers. The Centre is a place of worship for the Sikh community. Regular religious functions are held every Sunday, Wednesday and Saturday. Following the religious function, a vegetarian meal is served to all attendees and to anyone else from other faiths who may choose to attend the Centre. In addition to the regular functions, the Centre celebrates all significant religious days within the Sikh calendar. The Centre also arrange Sikh wedding ceremonies, engagements, birthdays, funerals, anniversaries and any other occasions requested by individuals.
Please tell us about a couple of the ceremonies that happen regularly at the temple.
Amongst many other ceremonies, the two significant events celebrated at the Centre in November is the birth of Guru Nanak, the founder of Sikhism. The other event, Vaisakhi, is celebrated on 14th April and marks the Sikh New Year and the birth of Sikhism. During these occasions the Sri Guru Granth Sahib which is the Sikh religious book, is recited continuously . It takes 48 hours to recite the entire holy book. During these occasions, the Centre organises celebrative vegetarian meals, sweets, hot and cold drinks which are served throughout the 3 days.
St Anselm’s Catholic Church sits opposite Tooting Bec Station at the end of Balham High Road. We spoke to The Revd. Philip Andrews to find out more about the history of the church and how it serves the local Catholic community & parish.
How long has there been a church on this site?
The present church building is Grade II Listed, and described by English Heritage as being of “Special Architectural Interest”. Built of brick with stone dressings, to a design by John Bernard Mendham, construction began in 1932. Tooting Bec is named after the great French Abbey of our Lady of Bec in Normandy, which was given land in this area following the Norman Conquest in 1066. There is a bas-relief of Saint Anselm visiting the Totinges tribe (from which Tooting as a whole gets its name) on the exterior of Wandsworth Town Hall.
How long have you been involved with St Anselms?
I’ve been the curate (assistant priest) at St Anselm’s since September 2016, having come here from the Venerable English College in Rome. The current Parish Priest is Canon Will Hebborn, who has been Rector of the Parish for over 20 years.
Please explain a couple of the traditional sacraments of the Catholic church.
The Catechism of the Catholic Church describes a sacrament as being, “an efficacious sign of grace, instituted by Christ and entrusted to the Church, by which divine life is dispensed to us through the work of the Holy Spirit. The sacraments are seven in number: Baptism, Confirmation, Eucharist, Penance or Reconciliation, Anointing of the Sick, Holy Orders, and Matrimony.” The Mass renews the paschal sacrifice of Christ as the sacrifice offered by the Church. It is called “Mass” because of the “mission” or “sending” with which the liturgical celebration concludes (Latin: “Ite, Missa est.”)
In 1993 the site (formally a cinema) on Tooting High Street was acquired and converted into the mosque known today as the Tooting Islamic Centre. With capacity to accommodate 1000 worshippers, it also encompasses education for primary & secondary school-aged children, daily prayers, Nikah (wedding) ceremonies, funerals, and all the other celebrations and events that serve the local Muslim community.
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