St Mary the Virgin, Wanstead facts for kids
St Mary the Virgin, Wanstead is a beautiful church in Wanstead, east London. It's part of the Church of England, which is the main Christian church in England. You can find it on Overton Drive, and it shares its local area, called a parish, with another church, Christ Church, Wanstead. This church is super special because it's the only building in the entire London Borough of Redbridge that has a Grade I listed building status. This means it's considered a building of exceptional historical and architectural importance!
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A Look Back: The Church's History
The story of St Mary the Virgin church goes way back! Records show that a church parish existed here as early as 1208. That's over 800 years ago!
Building the New Church
The original medieval church eventually needed to be replaced. So, between 1787 and 1790, a brand new church was built about 70 feet north of the old one. The land for this new church was generously given by James Tylney-Long from his estate.
A famous architect named Thomas Hardwick designed the church. The first stone, called the foundation stone, was laid on July 13, 1787. After this important event, there was a celebration at Wanstead House. The building work finished on June 24, 1790. A special ceremony, called a consecration, was held by Beilby Porteus, who was the Bishop of London at the time.
What Happened to the Old Church?
Once the new church was ready, the old medieval one was taken down. However, a very large and important monument dedicated to Josiah Child was carefully moved from the old church and placed inside the new St Mary the Virgin church.
Famous People Buried Here
The churchyard of St Mary the Virgin is the final resting place for some notable people. These include the talented sculptor Joseph Wilton and Robert Plampin, who was a Vice-Admiral in the Royal Navy.
