St Edward the Confessor - Romford (05)
The Church of Edward the Confessor
Situated in the Market Place, Romford, RM1 3AB. The earliest known house of worship was built in 1177 and was known as St Andrew’s Chapel. This building was demolished in the 14th century after many years of neglect. A new church was erected towards the end of the 14th century and completed in 1410. This was dedicated to The Virgin Mary and Edward the Confessor. Originally built with a Nave, a Chancel and extended North Aisle. It also featured a brick tower for five bells. Later a gallery was built for a charity for orphaned children. In 1710 it was renamed St Edward’s School and was later moved to another part of Market Place in 1728.
The church building was still in use but again fell into disrepair then work on a new church on the same site was started in 1844 and in 1849 the last service was held in the old church, then it was demolished. Only Blore’s chapel remained and was used as a burial yard until 1953, when this was also demolished.
The new building was consecrated in 1850 by Bishop of Rochester, George Murray. He was resident of Danbury Palace, Danbury, Essex. Architect John Johnson designed the church (he also designed Alexandra Palace). The church was designed in ‘Gothic Style’ and built from Kentish ragstone, it also used materials from John Nash’s in Regent Street. There are many carved heads situated in the church and this is thought to be the explanation of their being there.
It did suffer some war damage, but only minor. The biggest loss was the bells were used in the war effort and in 1944 a set of chime bells and an electric clock were installed.
Since then, major renovation work was completed in1988 and again in 1992. A new organ was installed in 1979 and in 2001 a statue of Edward the confessor was installed in the main porch.
Legend
There is a legend that the name Havering, a district close by to Romford, was named after a connection to Edward the Confessor and St John the apostle in the form of a ring. This was commemorated in a stain glass window of 1407, in the old chapel. I believe that this window does not exist now but a more modern one was installed in 1850 the 600th anniversary of the church.
This is the first of three postings.
St Edward the Confessor - Romford (05)
The Church of Edward the Confessor
Situated in the Market Place, Romford, RM1 3AB. The earliest known house of worship was built in 1177 and was known as St Andrew’s Chapel. This building was demolished in the 14th century after many years of neglect. A new church was erected towards the end of the 14th century and completed in 1410. This was dedicated to The Virgin Mary and Edward the Confessor. Originally built with a Nave, a Chancel and extended North Aisle. It also featured a brick tower for five bells. Later a gallery was built for a charity for orphaned children. In 1710 it was renamed St Edward’s School and was later moved to another part of Market Place in 1728.
The church building was still in use but again fell into disrepair then work on a new church on the same site was started in 1844 and in 1849 the last service was held in the old church, then it was demolished. Only Blore’s chapel remained and was used as a burial yard until 1953, when this was also demolished.
The new building was consecrated in 1850 by Bishop of Rochester, George Murray. He was resident of Danbury Palace, Danbury, Essex. Architect John Johnson designed the church (he also designed Alexandra Palace). The church was designed in ‘Gothic Style’ and built from Kentish ragstone, it also used materials from John Nash’s in Regent Street. There are many carved heads situated in the church and this is thought to be the explanation of their being there.
It did suffer some war damage, but only minor. The biggest loss was the bells were used in the war effort and in 1944 a set of chime bells and an electric clock were installed.
Since then, major renovation work was completed in1988 and again in 1992. A new organ was installed in 1979 and in 2001 a statue of Edward the confessor was installed in the main porch.
Legend
There is a legend that the name Havering, a district close by to Romford, was named after a connection to Edward the Confessor and St John the apostle in the form of a ring. This was commemorated in a stain glass window of 1407, in the old chapel. I believe that this window does not exist now but a more modern one was installed in 1850 the 600th anniversary of the church.
This is the first of three postings.