Our story: A Legacy of Hope in Battersea
New Life Church Battersea sits on a rich social and spiritual history, one that stretches back deep into the Victorian era.
The Vision of the "Poor Man’s Earl"
Over a century and a half ago, Anthony Ashley-Cooper was the 7th Earl of Shaftesbury.
Known as the “Poor Man’s Earl,” Lord Shaftesbury was a social reformer who believed that faith was meaningless unless it had its “sleeves rolled up.”
He famously championed the Ragged Schools, providing free education and food to the most destitute children of the slums, and fought tirelessly in Parliament to end child labor in mines and factories.
In 1844, Shaftesbury founded the Shaftesbury Society. His vision was simple yet radical: to establish missions in areas of extreme social need that offered both spiritual hope and practical care. One of those vital seeds was planted right here in Battersea.
"The Mish": A Century of Christian Care in Action
The Shaftesbury Welcome Hall was originally established in 1893 in Doddington Road as a hub for the urban poor – providing a warm meal, a safe place for a child to learn, and a place to hear about Jesus.
Coinciding with the erection of Battersea Park and Doddington Estate, in 1964, a new chapter began with the opening of ‘The Welcome Mission Centre’ in a building at 2 Austin Road, before later becoming ‘The Shaftesbury Christian Centre’.
During these years, another Christian work sprouted up in Battersea, again founded on long-standing local mission work – 2011 saw the planting of ‘The Bridge Battersea’ on the Surrey Lane Estate, 15 minutes walk from Austin Road, as part of the Co-Mission network.
A New Chapter
By September 2023, The Bridge, Shaftesbury Christian Centre, and others from the Co-Mission network were partnering together in church ministry.
Out of this partnership, New Life Church Battersea emerged, with our first service in January 2026.
Today, we want to continue the passion previous generations have had in sharing the love of Jesus with our neighbours in Battersea!