Grade I
St Mary Magdalene
Robert Hooke Church

INTRODUCTION

St Mary Magdalene Church is the heart of the hamlet of Willen, Milton Keynes, which has no other community hub – no pub, no shop, no hall. 

Built in 1680, this Grade I listed building was built in the wake of a turbulent era, emerging after the English Civil War, the devastating Great Plague of 1665, and the Great Fire of London in 1666

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Who built it?

It was built by the polymath Robert Hooke, curator of experiments at the then newly founded (1660) Royal Society; architect, mathematician, scientist, inventor, astronomer; surveyor who, with his old school chum Christopher Wren helped to rebuild London after the 1666 Great Fire.  

In her study of Robert Hooke’s architectural work, Margaret Batten discovered that those working on it included carpenters Bates, Hayward, Smith; Bricklayer Horn; Blacksmith Walker; Painter Stevenson.  

Why is it in Willen?

Dr Richard Busby, Head of Westminster School, bought Willen Manor from the family of Parliamentarian Colonel Robert Hammond, and commissioned his old pupil Robert Hooke to remove its previous affiliations by rebuilding its church.

What’s surprising about it?

It’s not what you would expect to find tucked away in a quiet backwater of a modern planned city.  

Despite having poor access, no toilet or running water, visitors travel from outside the area to see it having read about it in Simon Jenkins’ book England’s 1000 Best Churches and in Nikolaus Pevsner’s Buildings of England (Buckinghamshire edition).  Without fail, it causes an involuntary “WOW” from those entering it for the first time.

What’s exceptional about it?

When independently assessed against Historic England’s National Conservation Principles, Policies and Guidance it was found to be of high significance.

Its Architectural significance

  • St Mary Magdalene Willen is now Grade I listed
  • It was built during Hooke’s architectural peak, while he was rebuilding London
  • It exemplifies Hooke’s architectural thinking; scientifically and mathematically informed, elegant and harmonious
  • It’s a rare example of Restoration architecture in a rural setting

Its Heritage significance

  • Its story connects Willen to 17th century London’s rebirth after plague and fire
  • It’s Robert Hooke’s only surviving parish church
  • It’s the only Robert Hooke building to have been continuously occupied since it was built
  • It’s in almost complete 17th century condition, as Hooke left it

As it is believed to be one of Milton Keynes’ most important buildings it was used to illustrated Milton Keynes Council’s successful bid for city status.

What are its highlights?

Box pews, an extremely rare 17th-century survival, crafted to match the panelling. Some bear early graffiti and original carved numbers. The scrolled ends are cut from single timbers, with doors still on their original hinges.

Heavily carved oak font attributed to Bates, one of the carpenters identified in Hooke’s Diary as working for him on Willen church.

© Oxford Heritage Partnership

The plaster ceiling decorated, gilded and with the date 1680 divided across two gilded Shields. 

Example of the church ceiling. Photo — Simon Wright

Collegiate-style choir stalls and an oak pulpit with marquetry panels.

Ring of three bells, cast in 1683 by Richard Chandler, silenced by deterioration of their oak frame. Rehung in 2023 on a steel frame, they are now sounded using electromagnetic hammers.

© willenchurch.org