In the early 17th century, Southgate was a hamlet with a population of about 200 living in the area that is now The Green. There was also a large estate with a house called “Arnolds”, bought by Sir John and Lady Weld in 1610. The nearest church was 3 miles away.
Sir John, therefore, sought a faculty from the bishop to build a chapel at his expense and in his grounds. This was originally intended for the use of Sir John, his family and servants but it became the place of worship for the people of Southgate. It was a Chapel of Ease to All Saints and, since attendance at All Saints for the Easter Eucharist was compulsory, the connection was maintained.
In 1615 the building of the Weld Chapel began. It was a wooden structure, enlarged and altered several times to accommodate the growing population of Southgate and it lasted until 1862 by which time there were several imposing houses and estates in the area owned by wealthy merchants: the Walkers, the Taylors, and the earlier Sir John Weld were all brewers. It was felt that a larger more imposing church would be more suitable for such a population. So, in February 1860. a faculty was obtained from the Bishop of London to build a new church just eastward of the Weld Chapel.
The Weld Chapel was demolished in 1863 and its site remains marked in the old churchyard outside the West Door of the church (the enclosed area for burying cremated remains roughly delineates its ‘footprint’).
