Mowll Street

An Overview…

Mowll Street is a straight road that runs from Brixton Road to Hackford Road, it is almost entirely residential. Mowll Street was previously called Chapel Street and prior to the buildings we see today this site was occupied by earlier houses for which few records remain. From looking at Charles Booth’s poverty map (further down on this page) the tenants of Chapel Street were poor.

Charles Booth in his ‘Survey into life and labour in London’ says ‘An Ecclesiastical Commission estate and is marked for speedy demolition, the first fruits of which are seen in South Island Place, Chapel Street, St Ann’s Road and a bit of Brixton Road; though the district will suffer by the building of higher houses and the formation of new roads on the considerable open spaces that still exist, the social trend will be upwards; owing to the accessibility to the City, there is a great demand here from clerks.’

The street name was changed from Chapel Street to Mowll Street between 1936 and 1938. The name Mowll comes from William Rutley Mowll who was the Vicar that oversaw Christ Church (at the Brixton Road end of Mowll Street) being rebuilt. 

British History Online tells us “Two houses at the rear of the church in Chapel (now Mowll) Street were purchased for the erection of a hall which was to accommodate the congregation during the rebuilding of the church. The foundation stone of the new hall was laid on July 24, 1897, and the building was completed in 1899. The foundation stone of the new church was laid on December 13, 1898, by Princess Christian, and the old church was demolished in the following year. A six-foot strip of land was given up for the widening of Chapel Street.”

It is unclear exactly when Chapel Street was developed into the rows of mansion blocks that we see standing today. The properties appear to be late Victorian/early Edwardian. They are not quite as old as those of Handforth and Crewdson Roads. The appearance of the mansion blocks in Mowll Street is quite similar to those in nearby Cranworth Gardens which were built between 1899 and 1901. 

Mowll Street in maps…

1809

The above image is from a map produced in 1809 and is called ‘Laurie and Whittle’s New Map of London with its Environs, including the Recent Improvements’ This is the oldest map that I can find that shows the area that Mowll Street stands upon. Note that at the time Brixton Road was known as ‘The Washway’ due to the Effra flowing along one side of it. This area was predominantly rural at the time of this map, it is hard to believe that such an urban area was once considered idyllic however back then the sound of flowing water, the abundance of open space and the sound of birdsong would have been a welcome retreat from the City itself.

1820

“Pigot & Co.’s Metropolitan Guide & Miniature Plan Of London from 1820″ shows that Mowll Street still did not exist at this time

1837

“Cary’s New Plan Of London And Its Vicinity” is the oldest map that I can find which features Chapel Street (which would later be renamed Mowll Street)

1844

 Laurie’s Map of London 1844. 

1861

This is Cross’s New Plan of London 1861, the street should have been called Chapel Street, it appears to be mis-labelled. Looking at the street on this map Mowll Street appears to have quite a few houses on it. 

1898

Charles Booth’s Map of London Poverty research took him to Chapel Street (Later renamed Mowll Street) in 1895. The Map above is from 1898 and shows how Booth graded Chapel Street in light blue which indicated ‘poor’. The key to what the colours mean can be seen to the right of the image. For more information on Charles Booth and the classification of poverty see here. It is one of only two streets within my project boundaries that were graded as ‘poor’ by Booth. This particular map is also interesting as it shows us exactly how many houses were on Chapel Street before it was developed into the rows of mansion flats we see today.

1918

Chapel Street can be seen here on this 1918 Ward Map. It is remarkable to note how much the area has built up over the years, especially when scrolling up to the 1809 map when this entire space was empty. 

High density heaven…

 Mansion Blocks were first built when land in the few London locations acceptable to the wealthy was scarce, and demand for a pied-à-terre in the capital was high. Although the need to build upwards was obvious, investing in the early mansion blocks was risky because flats, no matter how superior, were tainted with two unpalatable associations. Firstly, they were usually seen as cheap accommodation for the lower classes. Anyone buying one would find themselves living in uncomfortable proximity not only to their neighbours, but also to their domestic help. And, secondly, and perhaps even worse, they were the home of choice for foreigners. But of course, the new developments across London were a great success and Mowll street continues to provide spacious flats in sturdy well designed blocks. 

Max Wall …

On the side wall of Glenshaw Mansions at the Brixton Road end of Mowll Street is a Heritage Foundation Blue Plaque in honor of the comedian Max Wall who was born at 37 Glenshaw Mansions.

Max Wall (12 March 1908–21 May 1990) was the stage name of British comedian Maxwell Lorimer. His performing career covered theatre, films and television.
Wall was a son of the successful music-hall entertainer Jack (Jock) Lorimer and his wife Stella. He was born near The Oval, in London. In 1918, during World War I, Wall was saved from death by his cast iron bed-frame, but both his younger brother and their were killed by a bomb from a German Zeppelin that destroyed their house.

Wall made his stage début at the age of 14 as an acrobatic dancer in a pantomime, but is best remembered for his ludicrously attired and hilariously strutting Professor Wallofski. This creation notably influenced John Cleese, who has acknowledged Max Wall’s influence on the creation of his own Ministry of Silly Walks sketch for Monty Python. After appearing in many musicals and stage comedies in the 1930s, Wall’s career went into decline, and he was reduced to working in obscure nightclubs. He then joined the RAF during WW2 and served for 3 years until he was invalided out in 1943.

Wall re-emerged when producers and directors rediscovered his comic talents, along with the expressive power of his tragic clown face and the distinctive sad falling cadences of his voice. He secured television appearances, and having attracted Beckett’s attention, he won parts in Waiting for Godot and Krapp’s Last Tape. In 1966 he appeared as Père Ubu in Jarry’s Ubu Roi, and in 1972 he toured with Mott the Hoople on their “Rock n’ Roll Circus tour”, gaining a new audience. His straight acting gained him this review in 1974:

“Max Wall makes Olivier look like an amateur in The Entertainer at Greenwich Theatre…” (The Guardian, 27 November 1974)

He also appeared in Crossroads, Coronation Street and what was then Emmerdale Farm. He also played an ex-con in Minder, with George Cole.

In the 1970s and 1980s, Wall occasionally performed a one-man stage show, An Evening with Max Wall, in which he recaptured the humour of old-time music-hall theatre.

His last film appearance was in the 12-minute movie A Fear of Silence, a dark tale of a man who drives a stranger to a confession of murder by answering only Yes or No to his questions; those two words, repeated, were his only dialogue. The film won a gold award in the New York Film and TV Festival.

 

 

 

 

29 Responses to Mowll Street

  1. John Rourke says:

    I grew up in Morat Street in the 1960s. I was given a different explanation of the origin of the street’s by a woman who had lived in the area since the turn of the century. She maintained that the area was very theatrical and that the street got the name Mowll because of the number of prostitutes who lived there (Mowll or Moll being an old word for prostitute). Unfortunately, your explanation makes much more sense even if it is less colourful.

  2. Nick Jewitt says:

    When I lived in the area in 1970s and 1980s (including Crewdson Road and Hackford Road), with friends in Mowll Street, I too heard that a good number of the original tenants were ladies of the night. I also heard about Rev. Mowll.
    Thanks for the site.

  3. JM Dunlop says:

    I lived in Mowll Street in the 1990’s and 2000’s. I did not know about Rev. Mowll but a taxi driver, taking me home, said that the street used to be known for “pimps, perverts and prostitutes”.

  4. Sue White says:

    I grew up in Mowll Street in the early fifties. The street comprised mostly of families, and a few very old prostitutes. These ladies (and they were ladies) I was told had been chorus girl and dancers on the Musical Halls, when the Halls started to close and they obviously got to old to earn a living on the stage this was a way of surviving. I think the same could be said of Morat Street. As kids we played in the street, with no problems, only thing was your mum had to be careful looking out the window just in case she was mistaken for one of the ladies, we were told to stay away from the windows in case we moved the curtains, which was one of the signs for their clients.

  5. Richard Smith says:

    i was brought up in mowll st in the fifties and llived there until 1959 I went to school in Durand gdns infant school then the reay primary then Kensington central all in hackford road. I remember all the prostitutes that lived there.Tten there was Cody’s and Arnold’s and Toys all in south island place.Opposite the Reay school was a bomb site which they built flats on.There was a waste paper merchant merchant called Downes.There was a lot of bomb sites in Caldwell St.The vicar of the church was a Mr Pizzy .We usused to play tin tan tommy in the street.

  6. Richard Smith says:

    I grew up in Mowll st in the fifties.I rember Downed paper plant.I went to Durand Infants then the Reay followed by Kensington Central all in Hackford Road.Opposite the Reay was a burnt out shop and next to that was a bombsite where the Caldwell estate is now.In south island place there was Cody’s sweet shop.Then there was Arnold’s grocers .The butcher was next door.Up the road was Toys fish and chip shop.

  7. Richard Smith says:

    good memories

  8. Philip Wood says:

    there is no evidence on the CWGC that Max Walls brother was a Civilian death in WW1

  9. Kay Stiffkkakay stiffystiffay stiff says:

    I remember Cody’s sweet and Coleman’s the butchers. Their son was in my brother’s gang of teddy boys.Hos nickname was Butch. I remember a small grocers next to Coleman’s with large weighing scales in the window. I only ever saw cheese and bacon on display and tins, but never ever saw anyone buying anything or anyone behind the counter. I always thought it was a strange sort of shop. A schoolfriend of mine had a cousin who lived in rooms over the stables. K

  10. Kay Stiffkkaystiffay stiff says:

    I had a friend in Mowll street. Carol Dunlop. She lived in the mansion behind the church. We were in the same class at Reay school. We used to hop the wag and go to the pictures at the Astoria Brixton. We used hide in her front room and sneak out her front door when her mum was busy in the kitchen. Her elder sister opened the Oasis Cafe on Clapham Rd which used to be Week:s Removals. I think she had a daughter and son. Is J M Dunlop related?

  11. Madeleine Dixon says:

    I lived in mowell street with my grandad until I was 7. He lived at glencoe mansions. We later lived at 31 south island place till approx 1964. I am 67 now. I got married in christ church on the corner of mowell street in 1969. The flats in the ansio s were beautiful. I remember delivering newspapers there when they had the time operated light pushes. In the winter I used to run like mad to get to the top floor and down again before the light went off!!!

  12. Kathleen Deevy (Brick) says:

    I lived at 35 Cleveland Gdns from 1945 to 1962 when I moved to Newcastle upon Tyne. I had several friends who lived in Mowll Street and they were Janet Atkinson, Carol Harpin, Linda Symons, and Patsy Hopper. There was also two boys Brian and Norman Hallier whose parents lived in the caretakers house adjoined to the Reay Primary. There were happy times and I also remember Coadys sweet shop but I believe that the block I used to live in was demolished and another more modern block was built in its place.

  13. Richard Smith says:

    Hello Kathleen I remember you as you lived next door. You were friends with my sister Doreen Smith. You must remember Vi Diamond and the Westrips, also Maureen and Shirley Davies. I remember Carol Harpin. Do you remember John Alltimes and John Dunlop

  14. Richard Smith says:

    Hello Kathleen I remember you as you lived next door. You were friends with my sister Doreen Smith. You must remember Vi Diamond and the Westrips

  15. Justine Swaden says:

    I lived in 11 Glencoe mansions in the 70s with my mum and dad who had the fruit and veg shop and my 2 brothers also went to reay school .

    • Paul Waterman says:

      Hi Justine i lived at no 15 Glencoe mansions i used to work saturdays at your dads greengrocers. I remember the two brothers Keith and Alan and also Charlie Porkus

  16. Sonia Smith says:

    It was great to read about your memories. I lived in Mowll Street from about 1945 until about 1959. I went to Durand Gardens infant school, The Reay junior school, Lawn Lane Central School and then to Dick Shepard Comprehensive. I loved looking in Coad’s. Sweet shop window at the little rubber dolls etc. and inside at the many jars of sweets. Also the ice creams which came in a circular cardboard sleeve. I would love to see a photograph of the shops prior to their falling into disrepair and demolition. I went to junos and campaigners in The Christ Church Hall. I attended Christ Church services and loved the splendour of the church, the outside pulpit was amazing.

    • Shaun Westrip says:

      Hello Sonia, I used to live at 21 Aigburth Mansions and was friends with your brother Richard. I to have plenty of good memories. I left Mowll St in 1964 to join the Army. Best wishes to you and your family.

    • Janet Parsons. nee Tuck. says:

      Just read your note about going to Christ Church and being in the Juno’s and Campaigners during the late 40’s and 50’s.
      I lived in Blackwell street and went to both Sunday school and Juno’s/campaigners.
      I also went to infants and juniors, and the Parkside secondary.
      On 23rd October 2023, made a trip back to st marks Kennington where I married in 1964.
      Walked to Christchurch. Alas no more Blackwell St, but many other memories.
      walking across the bomb site Caldwell St, to Southey Road where my grandmother lived, and the shop in Hackford Road on errands for her.
      Finally Blackwell street demolished, and we were rehoused in Nunhead.

  17. Shaun Westrip says:

    Hello Sonia, I used to live in 21 Aigburth Mansions, I knew you brother Richard. I left the Street in 1964 to join the Army. Hope you and your family are well. Shaun.

  18. Linda Cowie says:

    Hi Shaun, did you have a 2 sister called Sharon and Sandra. I stayed at 10 Glencoe mansion

    • Maggie Frei says:

      Hi Linda, I lived with my parents and siblings at 14 Glencoe Mansions, I was friendly with a girl next door called Linda, if this is you, you had a baby sister born within days of my baby brother ( I wanted to swap as I already had 2 brothers!). I was born in 1959, if this is you, you might have been a year or two older.

      • Peter Waterman says:

        Hello Maggie. I remember you, your brother Allan and I think you had a younger brother (Christian). I also remember you Mum and Dad and once staying at you place out near Chipstead after you moved. I lived at number 9 Glencoe Mansion and remember Justine at number 11.

  19. Hello Shaun I remember you very well we were good friends. So you joined the army. I live in Hastings now. Do you still live in London ?

  20. Richard Smith says:

    Hello again Shaun, it would be great to get in touch with you, how do I go about doing it

    • Shaun Westrip says:

      Hello Richard, Just seen your reply. My email is redcap@talktalk.net.

    • Shaun Westrip says:

      Hello Richard, Just seen your reply.

      • Richard Smith says:

        Hi Shaun just seen your reply, I’m living in Hastings now. 75 years old now ! Good memories of when we were growing up. How long were you in the army for? Are you still living in London. I remember you going to school at St Josheps at south Norwood then onto West Square. We spent a lot of time together when we were young. I left Mowll St in 1959 but have fond memories. Hope all is well with you,it would be great if we could meet up

  21. Steven Mowll says:

    Very interesting to stumble across this discussion thread related to one of my distant ancestors! The family is now spread around the world (mostly UK Commonwealth countries) but with strong links to south east England.

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