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Norwood News – Friday 24th October 1930.
The announcement of the death of the Rev. S. M. Ranson will be received with deep regret by the older generation of Streatham residents, who will remember him as the first vicar of the parish of St. Alban, Streatham Park. He passed away last week at his residence in Worthing, at the ripe old age of 88 years. It was as long ago as 1884 that he was invited to take charge of a district of Streatham in which building was projected. Mr. Ranson. then a young man, full of vigour and energy, set to work immediately to provide a church worthy of such a neighbourhood, and by his ministry and personality he infected so many people with his own vision and enthusiasm that the nave of the new church was ready for consecration in 1887. Not satisfied to rest on their oars. they continued their efforts, and very soon the chancel was added. The architect was Mr. Ranson's brother-in-law. Mr. Martineau, and their joint efforts evolved a church which is to-day acknowledged to be one of the most beautiful in suburban London, with a design very uncommon, and an attention to detail which produced rich results. Feeling the weight of the growing neighbourhood more than his advancing years could bear, he resigned the living in 1907, But his interest remained, quick and eager to the end, and as recently as last month he was able to receive a visit from some of his old parishioners, who, happily, still retain an active connection with the church, and his delight at seeing them once more was obviously sincere. Simon Mortlock Ranson laid good and deep foundations, and the life of St. Alban's Church to-day is the best memorial of his work that man could desire. Many will thank God as they recall him.
Census and miscellaneous information
Living at Pavement, St. Ives, Huntingdonshire. John D. Ranson, 48yrs, Grocer, wife, Sarah, 42yrs, 4 children, William, 15yrs, Apprentice Grocer, Mary Ann, 12yrs, Martha, 10yrs, Simon, 8yrs, plus 1 visitor and 1 domestic servant.
Living at Vicarage House, Pishill, Oxfordshire. Simon Mortlock Ranson, 38yrs, Vicar of Pishill, wife, Maria, 41yrs, 3 stepchildren, Florence Martineau, 14yrs, Gerald Martineau, 13yrs, Helen Martineau, 12yrs, son, Denys F. 3yrs, plus 1 domestic servant.
Living at St. Albans House, Streatham Park, London. Simon Mortlock Ranson, 48yrs, Clerk in Holy Orders, wife, Maria, 51yrs, 3 stepchildren, Florence, 24yrs, Gerald, 23yrs, Articled Clerk, Helen, 22yrs, daughter, Olive 9yrs, plus 2 domestic servants.
Living at St. Albans House, Streatham Park, London. Simon Mortlock Ranson, 58yrs, Clergyman, C of E, 2 stepdaughters, Florence, 34yrs, Helen, 32yrs, son, Denys, 23yrs, Tea Merchant/Grocer, daughter, Olive, 19yrs, plus 2 domestic servants.
Living at Forest House, Aviemore Road, Crowborough, Sussex. Simon Mortlock Ranson, 68yrs, Clergyman retired, wife, Maria, 71yrs, daughter, Olive Mary, 29yrs, stepdaughter, Florence, 44yrs, plus 3 domestic servants.
Living at Glenaldon, Stoke Abbott Road, Worthing, Sussex. Simon Mortlock Ranson, 78yrs, widower, Clergyman retired, son, Denys Francis, 43yrs, Retired Golf Club Secretary, plus 2 domestic servants.

St. Alban's Church, Streatham Park
St Alban's church in Aldrington Road, Streatham Park was designed by E.H. Martineau and consecrated on 2nd April 1887. Having survived bomb damage in World War II, it was demolished after a fire in 1947.