St Andrew's Church, Plaistow facts for kids
St Andrew's Church was once a Church of England church located on Barking Road in Plaistow, east London. It has a long history, starting as a small mission and growing into a significant building in the community. Over the years, it has seen many changes, from its construction to its current use.
Contents
The Story of St Andrew's Church
Early Beginnings
The church's journey began in 1860. It started as a small mission building on Whitwell Road. This mission was set up by St Mary's Church, Plaistow to serve the growing community. It was a place where people could gather for worship and support.
Building the Church
As the community grew, a larger, permanent church was needed. The famous architect James Brooks designed the new building. It opened its doors in 1870. The church was built on a site just south of the northern outfall sewer embankment. The year after it opened, a separate parish was created just for St Andrew's Church. This meant it had its own dedicated area and congregation.
The original plans for the church were quite grand. They included a large central tower with a pointed, pyramid-shaped spire. However, this tower was never fully completed. It only reached the height of the main roof of the church.
Community Outreach
St Andrew's Church was very active in its community. In 1903, it opened a new mission hall. This hall later became St Cedd's Church, Canning Town. The area served by this new mission was separated from the parishes of St Andrew's and St Luke's. This shows how the church helped to spread its work and support to other parts of London.
Wartime and Repairs
During the London Blitz, which was a period of heavy bombing in London during World War II, St Andrew's Church suffered a lot of damage. Many parts of the building were hit. However, after the war ended in 1945, the church underwent extensive repairs. It was carefully restored to its former glory.
A New Chapter
In 1984, the building was recognized for its historical importance. It was given a Grade II listing, which means it is a building of special architectural or historic interest.
Today, St Andrew's Church is no longer used as an Anglican church. Instead, it has been repurposed. It now houses offices and a UCKG Help Centre. The chancel, which is the part of the church where the altar is usually located, has been walled off. The original parish of St Andrew's is now part of a larger group called the Parish of the Divine Compassion.
In 2006, the people who used to worship at St Andrew's Church joined together with the congregation of Memorial Baptist Church. They formed a new group called the Memorial Community Church. This marked another significant change in the long history of the St Andrew's Church building.
