Church of St Helen and St Giles facts for kids

Quick facts for kids St Helen and St Giles
St Helen and St Giles
Denomination	Church of England (Anglican)
Administration
Deanery	Havering
Archdeaconry	Chelsea
Diocese	Chelmsford
Province	Canterbury

St Helen and St Giles is a historic church in Rainham. It is the oldest building in the London Borough of Havering. This church was built a very long time ago, during the Norman period. It still has many of its original features, like its rounded arches.

The church was founded by a man named Richard de Lucy. He was a powerful figure in England during the time of Henry II of England. Construction of the church happened between 1160 and 1170.

History of the Church Building

St Helen and St Giles church was built almost 900 years ago. It was founded by Richard de Lucy, who was an important person in the government of King Henry II. The church was finished around 1170.

Later, between 1893 and 1906, the church was carefully repaired and updated. This was called a "Victorian restoration." Money for these repairs came from donations, including from the Freemasons. Even after these updates, the church still looks very much like it did when it was first built.

The Rectory Manor

Near the church was a large estate called Rectory Manor. It was also known as Parsonage Farm. This land was once part of a bigger area called Rainham Manor. In 1178, King Henry II gave this land to an abbey called Lesnes Abbey. An abbey is like a monastery where monks live.

Lesnes Abbey owned the land for many years. Then, during a time called the Dissolution of the Monasteries, the land changed hands. It was later owned by important people like Cardinal Wolsey. After a while, the land was sold to different families. Eventually, in the 1700s, it was bought by the Crosse family. They owned it until the 1900s, when the land was divided up for new buildings.