St George the Martyr Wolverton - Britain's First Railway Church
On the corner of St George's Way & Church Street, Wolverton, Milton Keynes, Buckinghamshire, MK12 5EX
The building of St George’s was funded by the Radcliffe Trust, but the church also benefitted from significant financial, technical and volunteer support from the London & Birmingham Railway Company and its successors. It was the first church specifically built to serve the staff of a railway company.
The architects for the original church were David Brandon and Thomas Henry Wyatt; a partnership that existed between 1838 and 1851. Construction of St George’s was undertaken by Grissell & Peto; at that time the largest construction company in the world. Whilst they were building St George’s, they were also the lead contractors for Nelson’s Column and the Houses of Parliament.
Despite its appearance, the main structure is brick, but clad in local limestone and dressed in red sandstone from Hollington, Staffordshire. Internal stonework is variously of Forest of Dean blue stone, Portland stone, Bath stone and Hornton stone from Oxfordshire.
There is some fine oak woodwork; much, including the pews and other furniture, was made by volunteers from the carpentry shop at the Railway Works in their spare time. St George’s is one of only a handful of buildings remaining from the earliest days of the new railway town.
Timings & Tours
- Saturday 20 September:
- 1200 - 1600 (church will remain open until 1700)
- Sunday 21 September:
- 1200 - 1600 (church will remain open until 1700)
Location & directions
On the corner of St George's Way & Church Street, Wolverton, Milton Keynes, Buckinghamshire, MK12 5EX
- Contact on day:
- Michael Snell
- Telephone number:
- +447531160721
Booking information
- Pre-booking requirement:
- Pre-booking not required
Accessibility details
Toilet has a frame for use but can only be said to be partially accessible. Baby changing is minimal - mat on floor. Breast feeding area can easily be provided as there are rooms onsite.
Additional information
The churchyard is always open and is maintained as a wildlife conservation area.
