The Vicarage

For centuries the Mortlake parsonage had stood near the west end of the High Street. It was a parsonage rather than a vicarage because until 1868 the incumbent was a perpetual curate, rather than a vicar in his own right. But by the middle of the 18th century this old house was no longer suitable and incumbents had to find their own residences.

James Stuart Wortley of East Sheen Lodge gave land for the site of a new vicarage, which was built in 1867, in what is still known as Vicarage Road. It was designed by a local architect, William Hudson, who lived in St Leonards. He was well known in the City as a surveyor and was responsible for many warehouses and City premises.

Albert Betts' drawing on the right shows the vicarage in 1897.

The vicarage still stands but from 1955 it was no longer the residence of the vicar. It became a private residence and has been renamed Mortlake House. The vicar (since 1976, the rector) has lived in a more modest suburban house in Sheen Lane. Mortlake House was on the market in 2019 with an elaborate brochure advertisng the sale.