Memorial Community Church facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Memorial Community Church |
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| Memorial Community Church Plaistow | |
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| Location | 389-395 Barking Road, Plaistow, E13 8AL |
| Country | England |
| Denomination | Baptist |
| Website | https://memorialcc.org.uk/ |
| History | |
| Founded | 1871 |
| Architecture | |
| Functional status | Active |
| Architect(s) | William Hayne |
| Architectural type | Church |
| Style | Neo-Byzantine |
| Years built | 1921-22 |
| Construction cost | £60,000 |
| Specifications | |
| Number of towers | 2 |
| Bells | 10 |
The Memorial Community Church is a Baptist church located in Plaistow, Newham, which is in east London. It has a special design called Neo-Byzantine style. This means it looks a bit like old churches from the Byzantine Empire. The church is also a Grade II listed building, which means it's an important historical building that needs to be protected.
Contents
A Look at the Church's Past
How the Church Started
The church began in 1871. It was first known as the Barking Road Tabernacle. A "tabernacle" is a type of church building. The original building is still standing on Barking Road today.
For a while, the church had money problems. But in 1897, a person named Robert Rowntree Clifford took charge. He helped the church grow and cleared all its debts by 1900.
Building the New Church
Because the church was growing, a new group called West Ham Central Mission was formed in 1904. This mission worked alongside the church. The current church building, which you see today, opened in 1922.
- Design and Cost: William Hayne designed the new church. It took 15 months to build. The cost was about £60,000, which was a lot of money back then!
- Special Design: The church was built in the Byzantine style. It has a large, domed main hall and two tall towers.
- A Special Dedication: The church was dedicated to the brave men from the local area and the church community who died in World War I. This war was also known as "the Great War."
Music and Bells
- The Organ: In 1924, the church received a wonderful gift: a new organ. It was given by a famous singer named Dame Clara Butt. This organ was very special because it was one of the first to use "electric action." This means electricity helped the organ work, making it easier to play.
- The Bells: The East tower of the church holds 10 bells. These bells were made by a company called Gillett & Johnston. Each bell has the names of local men who died in World War I. There are 169 names in total.
- One bell is named after Prince Maurice of Battenberg. He was the only member of the British royal family who died in action during World War I.
- Another bell is dedicated to the Unknown Warrior. This honors all soldiers whose bodies were never identified.
- Bell Dedication: The bells were officially dedicated in 1926. A special service was held, and a famous singer named Kennerley Rumford performed.
Changes Over Time
In 1938, Robert Rowntree Clifford's wife, Hettie, received a special award called the OBE. She got this award for her great work helping women in the Mission.
In 1978, the Mission's name changed to Memorial Baptist Church Plaistow. Then, in 2006, something new happened. The people from St Andrew's Church, Plaistow joined with the Memorial Baptist Church. Together, they formed the Memorial Community Church, which is what it's called today.
