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The only church for public worship in Havering until
early in the 14th Century was the Church of St Andrew,
Hornchurch, a monastic establishment that supplied a
chaplain to reside at Havering Palace at the King's
pleasure. In 1323, permission was obtained to build
a Chapel of Ease in Romford, a hamlet that was growing
at a considerable pace, and already a centre for the
market trade of the district.
The new chapel was accordingly built alongside the
ford crossing the River Rom in the district, which is
now called Oldchurch. This chapel was dedicated to St
Andrew: the Patron Saint of the Mother Church of Hornchurch,
and was to serve the inhabitants of Romford for the
next 80 years.
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The River Rom was not however controlled
as it is today, and as the river flooded over the adjacent
meadows, the water seeped into the foundations of the Chapel,
which soon became a ruin. In 1406, the first Church of St
Edward was built near the thriving market place, and served
as the church of Romford for the next 440 years.
Dramatic changes began to happen to the
Church of Romford, following the induction of Archdeacon Grant
as Vicar of Romford in 1838. Within four years, a church had
been built at Noak Hill, and in 1843 the St Andrew's school,
now our own Parish centre was opened.
Turning his attention to the Parish church,
Archdeacon Grant obtained the help of New College, Oxford,
and the people of Romford to demolish the old St Edward's
Church and to build in its place the present church.
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The new church was to serve the western
side of the growing town of Romford, the population
of the Eastbury and Oldchurch districts being mainly
employed in the Ind Coope brewery, the railway company
and the market trade.
The church was designed by Mr J Johnson,
who also designed St Edward's Church nearly 20 years
before, and similar designs were used for the columns,
arches and windows. The building cost £4,500 and
took 12 months to construct, after the laying of the
foundation stone by Mr OE Coope, a prominent and generous
member of the building committee, and associate of the
local brewery that bore his family name.
The structure is substantially built
of Kentish Rag and Bath Stone, the timber being generally
of memle and oak.
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During 2004 the church underwent a substantial
renovation. The Holy Child Room was created from the old Choir
Vestry, toilet facilities installed and the church made compatible
with the Disability Discrimination Act. A nave platform was
also installed and a new nave altar crafted.
In 2005 work continued.
New spotlighting was installed and the church was completely
redecorated.
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