St Andrew's Church, Hornchurch facts for kids
Quick facts for kids St Andrew's Church, Hornchurch |
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St Andrew's Church, Hornchurch
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| Denomination | Church of England |
| Website | The parish of Hornchurch |
| Administration | |
| Deanery | Havering |
| Archdeaconry | Barking |
| Diocese | Chelmsford |
| Province | Canterbury |
Welcome to St Andrew's Church in Hornchurch, England! This special building is a Church of England church and is considered a very important historical site, known as a Grade I listed building. This means it's protected because of its unique history and design.
Contents
A Look Back: Church History
There has been a church on this spot for a very long time, since at least 1163. King Henry II gave the church to the Hornchurch Priory back then.
Building the Church Tower
The church's tall tower and the north porch were added in the 15th century. Inside the tower, there are 10 bells that ring in a circle. The largest bell, called the "tenor," weighs about 914 kilograms! It was made in 1779. More bells were added over time, from six to eight in 1901, and then to ten in 2001.
These bells have been used for some amazing ringing performances. For example, on May 27, 1912, a group of bell ringers completed a very long "peal" (a special ringing pattern) that lasted almost 10 hours! It was a record for that type of bell ringing at the time.
Church Design and Style
The church you see today is a beautiful example of late Gothic architecture. This style is known for its pointed arches, large windows, and detailed stone work. Because of its special design and history, Historic England officially recognized it as a Grade I listed building in 1955.
Memorials and Burials
St Andrew's Church has many old monuments and memorials inside. These remember local families and important people from the past. You can find memorials to the daughters of William Blackborne, whose family was connected to a long-serving church leader in Dagenham. There's also a stone tablet for Thomas Clutterbuck, who was an important government official for King George II and died in 1742.
The churchyard outside also holds the war graves of 37 service members from World War I and four from World War II. These graves remind us of the brave people who served their country.
