| Hammersmith Vestry | |
| Native Name: | The Vestry of the Parish of Hammersmith |
| Foundation: | 1834 (first)1886 (second) |
| Disbanded: | 1855 (first)1900 (second) |
| Preceded By: | Fulham Vestry |
| Succeeded By: | Fulham District Board of Works (1886) Hammersmith Metropolitan Borough Council (1900) |
The Hammersmith Vestry (also known as the Vestry of the Parish of Hammersmith) was the vestry for the parish of Hammersmith, London from 1834 to 1856 and 1886 to 1900.
In 1629, inhabitants of Hammersmith, including the Earl of Mulgrave and Nicholas Crispe, successfully petitioned the Bishop of London for a chapel of ease to be built at St Paul's, Church, in Hammersmith.[1]
On 7 June 1631, the chapelry was consecrated by Bishop Laud. A perpetual curacy was established and the chapelry developed its own independent vestry.
In 1834, upon the passing of the Hammersmith Parish Act 1834, Hammersmith became a distinct parish with St Paul's as the parish church and vicarage.[2]
In 1855, following the passing of the Metropolis Management Act 1855, the parishes of Fulham and Hammersmith were combined for civil purposes as the Fulham District, governed by the Fulham District Board of Works, abolishing the first Hammersmith Vestry.[3] This coincided with the parish becoming part of the area of responsibility of the Metropolitan Board of Works.
On 25 March 1886, following the passing of the Metropolis Management Amendment Act 1885, the Fulham District Board of Works was dissolved and vestries of Hammersmith and Fulham were incorporated, with elections to the Metropolitan Board of Works to be held on that date.[4]
The London Government Act 1899 reformed the administration of London by dividing the County of London into 28 metropolitan boroughs, replacing the 41 parish vestries and district boards of works administering the area.[5] On 15 May 1900, the Metropolitan Borough of Hammersmith was created from the civil parish of Hammersmith, governed by Hammersmith Borough Council, abolishing the Hammersmith Vestry.[6]