Merton Interfaith Walk
Saturday 31st May 2025
Merton’s Interfaith Walk:
Peace, People and Planet
On Saturday 31st May 2025, a group of about 75 people could be seen walking along the streets of south London. Who were they?
A couple of them were holding placards, announcing the South London Inter Faith Group (SLIFG) on one side and on the reverse, one had a Jewish Menorah and the other one an OM symbol – sacred to Hindus, Buddhists, Jains and Sikhs.
They were members of a range of religious traditions and interfaith groups, and those interested in spirituality, on an organised walk, taking in eight venues over a distance of about five miles.
This had been organised by Richard Smart, a Blue Badge Guide, who had arranged the day, the timing and a Salvation Army bus for the less able to get from one place to another in comfort. He found himself responsible for chivvying us to leave the most welcome refreshments which every venue had provided and to make our way to the next faith site. We all owe him a huge debt of gratitude.
Also involved was PC Suzanne D’Cruze FAITH Engagement Officer and two uniformed officers accompanied us throughout.
The proceeds were for The Merton Homeless Project – Faith in Action, an inspiring initiative which we learned more about later.
People had come from all over the country to join the walk. Some were local, showing their own places of worship or charitable initiatives, others, like my daughter, photographer Eleanor Dailey, and I had come from Gloucestershire. We didn’t know what to expect, but were excited at the prospect of exploring a range of religions – kick-starting this joint project, Contemporary Religious and Spiritual Experience: An Illustrated Guide www.crse.uk
The walk was a sponsored walk for Merton Homeless Project – Faith in Action Supported by:
Photographs by Eleanor Dailey
The day began at Merton Civic Centre, where we were treated to a wide-ranging ‘Sacred Text’ exhibition in the library, illustrating major religious traditions and their beliefs, with representatives happy to answer our questions. People began to mingle and to introduce themselves over the refreshments which had kindly been provided for us.
Then we set off along the road to the beautiful Baitul Futuh Mosque, where we were warmly welcomed. This is the largest mosque in Europe, and represents the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community, who base their faith on the teachings of the Prophet Muhammad, as interpreted by their Khalifas.
This spacious building can accommodate up to 10,000 worshippers in a number of roomy spaces. Before leaving, we were treated to delicious samosas.
Then we headed for the St John Fisher RC Church, a light, peaceful place, enhanced by soft music and brightly coloured stained glass windows. We were welcomed and shown the exquisite vestments used for different ceremonies; the sanctuary lamp; the tabernacle; the sacred vessels and finally the ornate golden monstrance.
Off to another beautiful venue, St Mary’s Church, Merton, with its remarkable graveyard.
Lord Nelson would worship in this ancient church, parts of which date from before the Domesday Book of 1086. Once again we were made most welcome and offered refreshments.
We then made our way to the Salvation Army Hall for a most interesting talk by Korean Captain Kook, explaining the history and work of the Wimbledon Korean Corps Church and Community Centre.
Then we heard of the wide-ranging activities of the Faith In Action group.
These remarkable people of various religious persuasions certainly live up to their name.
They run a drop-in centre twice a week, offering overnight accommodation, meals, support, advice and practical help to homeless and vulnerably-housed people.
We heard moving stories of some of the desperate people they had helped. We ourselves were then treated to a delicious lunch buffet and a welcome rest.
Next was the Wimbledon Spiritualist Church.
The leader explained that rather than retain the original name of Christian Spiritualist Church, it had been decided that although recognising Jesus, no creed should be imposed on its members.
We heard of how she had come to recognise that she had a spirit guide, who enabled her to make contact with the deceased and to help those mourning the loss of a loved-one.
There were so many questions, that Richard had some difficulty in moving us all on.
The Seventh-day Adventists were next, offering presentations by their elders and a performance by a group of children.
Again there was a range of questions as many of us were not familiar with their beliefs. They provided packs of information, as well as more refreshments.
Our final venue was the stunning Hindu Shree Ghanapathy Temple, dedicated to Lord Ganesha. It was opened in 1981 and happily welcomes members of any faith to join in their worship.
A video of explanation was shown and we were able to explore the brightly coloured and gilded shrines in the main hall.
A final treat at the temple was the arrival of a stunning young couple celebrating their wedding, who were happy to pose for photographs and to answer questions.
We were presented with Completion Certificates and that was the conclusion of a most remarkable day.
We walkers were exhausted, but felt enriched and enlightened, having been shown so many different aspects of religious and spiritual life in south London.
Wherever we went, we were made welcome and over the course of the day we met many like-minded people – at the faith sites and in the group.
As religion so often gets a bad press, activities such as the Merton Interfaith Walk should be more widely known.
