Church of St Edward the Confessor, Romford facts for kids

Quick facts for kids St Edward's Church
St Edward the Confessor, Market Place, Romford
Location	Romford, London Borough of Havering
Country	England
Denomination	Church of England
Churchmanship	Anglo-Catholic
History
Dedication	Blessed Virgin Mary and St Edward the Confessor
Architecture
Architect(s)	John Johnson
Style	Victorian Gothic
Administration
Parish	Romford
Deanery	Havering
Archdeaconry	Barking
Diocese	Chelmsford
Province	Canterbury

The Church of St Edward the Confessor is an Anglican church in Romford, in the London Borough of Havering, England. It is also known as the Parish Church of the Blessed Virgin Mary and St Edward the Confessor. This church is part of the Diocese of Chelmsford.

The building you see today was built between 1849 and 1850. It replaced an older church that was taken down in the mid-1800s. People have worshipped on this spot since the late 1300s. The current church was designed in a Gothic Revival style by the English architect John Johnson. In 1952, English Heritage recognized it as a Grade II* listed building, which means it's a very important historic place.

History of St Edward's Church

The First Chapel (Oldchurch)

The very first known place of worship in Romford was a small chapel. It was named after Saint Andrew, just like the main church in Hornchurch. This chapel was built in 1177 near the River Rom. It was used until the late 1300s, but then it fell apart and was eventually taken down. The area called Oldchurch, including Oldchurch Park and the former Oldchurch Hospital, gets its name from this very old chapel.

The Church of 1410

A new church was built on the same spot where the current church stands. It was finished in 1410. On March 23 of that year, the grounds were officially blessed by Henry Chichele, who was the Bishop of St David's. This new church was dedicated to the Virgin Mary and St Edward the Confessor.

This church had a chancel (the area around the altar) and a nave (the main part where people sit). It also had a longer and wider north aisle. A brick tower was added, which held five bells. Later, a gallery was built inside the church. A charity for orphaned children was started there.

By 1710, the orphanage became St Edward's School. In 1728, the school moved to its own building in Romford's Market Place. About 30 years later, a new clock was put in, and three more bells were added to the peal (the set of bells). This church was used until 1844. That's when work began on a new church building to the east of the Market Place.

The new building was designed by Edward Blore. It was only meant to be a chapel. But halfway through building it, the planners decided to move the town's main church back to Market Place. The last services were held at the old church in Market Place in 1849, and then it was taken down. Blore's chapel in Main Road stayed and was used as a burial ground. That's why you can still see about 19 old gravestones there today. Blore's chapel itself was taken down in 1953.

The Current Church Building

The church you see in Market Place today was designed by the English architect John Johnson. He also designed the famous Alexandra Palace in 1874. The company that built the church was run by John Kelk, who often worked with Johnson.

The first stone of the church was laid on July 14, 1849, by Thomas William Bramston. He was a politician and the Member of Parliament for Romford at the time. The church was officially blessed on September 19, 1850, by George Murray, the Bishop of Rochester. Building the church cost £8,000. Money came from loans, a gift from New College, Oxford, and donations from people.

Design and Materials

Johnson designed the church in the Gothic style of the 14th century. It was built using Kentish Ragstone and Bath stone. Some of the building materials even came from John Nash's Quadrant in Regent Street, London, which was being taken down at the time. This might explain why there are so many carved faces on the building. These carvings show kings, queens, bishops, and other interesting heads.

The beautiful stained glass window on the east side of the church was made by Charles Edmund Clutterbuck. The three windows in the south chapel were made by William Wailes. The wall that separates the churchyard from the Market Place might be as old as the second church from the 14th century.

Later Changes and Renovations

The church had some small damage during the Second World War. During repairs in 1944, an electric clock and chime bells were installed. These might have replaced bells that were taken for the war effort. The church was officially listed as a Grade II* listed building on July 4, 1952.

By 1965, the St Edward's School had moved to a new spot and became a secondary school. A new organ was put into the church's west gallery in 1979. Five years later, the Church House was repaired. A big renovation happened in 1988. This included putting in underfloor heating and changing the fixed pews into chairs that could be moved.

In 2001, the church received money from the Pilling Trust. With this, a toilet and kitchen facilities were added. In the same year, a wooden carving of St Edward the Confessor was made and placed in the main entrance. The next year, chairs replaced the movable pews. The tall spire, which is 162 feet high, had major repair work done in 1992.

Inside the Church

The church has a main area called a nave with five sections and a clerestory (a high section with windows). It also has north and south aisles, a chancel, a Lady Chapel, and a west gallery. Two vestries (rooms for clergy) were added in 1885.

On the south wall in the chancel, there is a monument to George Hervey. On the north wall, you can find a memorial to Anthony Cooke. This memorial is thought to be made by the sculptor Cornelius Cure or his father, William. The church also displays a silver communion plate. It was given by a church member and made by the jeweler John Turner.

Images for kids

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  Memorial dedicated to Sir Anthony Cooke who died 1576