History

Newington Green's History

Newington Green has a fascinating history to explore and discover and today's dynamic community ensures the Green is still a place full of ideas and activity.

During the mid 17th century, Newington Green was a secluded, rural area and one which attracted non conformists (Protestant Christians who refused to follow the rules of the Church of England). They built the Unitarian Church in 1708, which is the oldest non-conforming place of worship in London today.

Dr Richard Price became minister in 1758 and his house became an important meeting place for the radical thinkers of the day such as Americans – Benjamin Franklin, Thomas Jefferson, early feminist Mary Wollstonecraft and poets Samuels Rogers and Anna Laetitia Barbauld

By the mid-19th century, the surrounding farmland had been largely replaced by buildings and brickworks, and Newington Green was rapidly becoming part of inner London. The area was badly damaged during the Second World War and there were mass evacuations to the safer countryside. After the War, new developments sprang up, and the social make up of the area changed. Today, the Green has a diverse population with a large Turkish Cypriot community.

Find out more about Newington Green in "The Village that Changed the World. A History of Newington Green", by Alex Allardyce. To order a copy of the book visit the Newington Green Action Group website.