Source: https://www.british-history.ac.uk/vch/essex/vol7/pp46-51
Timestamp: 2019-04-25 21:42:33+00:00

Document:
The 'church of Havering', i.e. St. Andrew's, Hornchurch, existed by 1163, when Henry II gave it to the newly-founded priory of Hornchurch. (fn. 1) When the priory was dissolved in 1391 its possessions in Hornchurch were bought by William of Wykeham, bishop of Winchester, as part of the endowments of New College, Oxford. (fn. 2) In 1392 a vicarage was for the first time ordained. (fn. 3) That regulation was revoked in 1398, (fn. 4) but the college, following a precedent already set at Romford, made voluntary arrangements in some ways similar to those of a normal vicarage. Each successive incumbent, styled a vicar or chaplain, (fn. 5) held office on a long lease. Fifteenth-century leases were conditional upon the vicar's good behaviour, efficient service, personal residence, and sometimes his payment of a small rent; he was entitled to oblations, small tithes, and to allowances of clothing, corn, hay, and fuel. (fn. 6) By the early 19th century the vicar was receiving a stipend from the college instead of tithes and allowances. (fn. 7) Leasing continued until 1926–7, when the college endowed the vicarage. (fn. 8) New College still has the advowson.
The ancient Vicarage, known in its later years as the Chaplaincy, (fn. 32) stood on the north side of High Street opposite the church. It was built by New College in the financial year 1399–1400, and at the same time was divided by a wall from the Rectory (later Hornchurch Hall). (fn. 33) Those arrangements suggest that the new owners were adapting the priory site for parochial use. The Vicarage was a timber-framed building, originally comprising an aisled hall with a solar wing to the west, and possibly a similar wing to the east. (fn. 34) In the later 17th century the whole house except the west wing was demolished and replaced by a two-storey timber-framed structure with an eastern cross-wing, and a separate gabled compartment on the north front housing the main staircase. Minor alterations were made to the east wing in the 18th century, and in the later 19th century two short parallel wings of brick were built at the east end of the south front. The building went out of use in 1969. (fn. 35) In 1970, when it was awaiting demolition, a fire revealed substantial remains of the original structure. (fn. 36) When it was demolished parts of the framework of the west wing were removed and stored by the London borough of Havering. The present Chaplaincy, formerly called Wykeham Lodge, is a modern house immediately west of the church.
The church of ST. ANDREW, which stands on the hill at the top of High Street, consists of chancel, north and south chapels, four-bay nave, north and south aisles, north porch, and west tower. (fn. 53) It is built of septaria and ragstone, with some brick, and limestone dressings. The present building originated in the 13th century, but during the 15th century the aisles and chancel were rebuilt and the north and south chapels, clerestorey, porch, and tower were added. The south aisle and chapel were rebuilt in 1802.
In 1719 there was a marble font with a black-letter inscription. (fn. 77) It may have survived until 1817, when it was replaced by a stone one. (fn. 78) which in turn was replaced by a wooden one in 1970.
There are two charities for the maintenance of the church. (fn. 93) Church field, comprising 6 a., part of Gibbs at Perrys farm, Romford, was given in 1563 by William Talbot, vicar of Rainham. The rent from it was £2 13s. 4d. in the period 1623–36, £5 in 1656, and £20 in 1837. In 1934 the land, then 7 a., was sold for £1,646. In 1975 the income from stock was £100. Shipman's croft, later called Gogneys, comprised 2 a. in South End Road, Hornchurch. It seems to have been given in or before 1570 by Agnes Shipman. In 1624 it was said to be for the poor, but in 1627, when it was leased to William Gogney for 15s. a year, the rent was to be used to repair the church. In 1837 the rent was £4 4s. The land was sold in 1938 for £900. In 1975 the income from stock was £31.
Mildred Bearblock, by her will of 1865, gave £111 in trust for the most regular attendants at church. In 1874 the vicar, who had distributed the charity for two years, refused to do so any longer, and by a Scheme of that year the income was to be used for Sunday school prizes. By 1917 Bearblock's charity was said to be combined with that of Whennell, the total income of about £10 being used to buy Sunday school prizes, books, and furniture. (fn. 94) In 1975 the income from Bearblock's charity was £7.
St. Andrew, Hornchurch, had two ancient chapelries, Romford and Havering. During the Interregnum an unsuccessful attempt was made to form them into separate parishes. (fn. 95) Havering eventually became independent for ecclesiastical purposes in the 1780s, and Romford in 1848–9. (fn. 96) Since 1849 six new churches, all originally missions of St. Andrew, have been built in Hornchurch. Two of them remain under St. Andrew: the church of ST. GEORGE, Kenilworth Gardens, (fn. 97) built in 1931, and that of ST. MATTHEW, Chelmsford Drive (1956). (fn. 98) Of the others three have been given their own parishes, and one has been transferred to Rainham.
Hornchurch Baptist church, North Street, seems to have originated in 1859, when Hermon Independent chapel, High Street, was registered for worship. (fn. 124) Hermon was probably identical with the mission which during the 1860s and 1870s was supported by Romford and Upminster Congregational churches. (fn. 125) In 1877 the members of the mission formed a church, but having found it difficult to get Congregational preachers they sought the help of Spurgeon, who sent students from his Baptist college at the Metropolitan Tabernacle. (fn. 126) In 1880 the church adopted a Baptist constitution, and in 1882 the present building was erected in North Street, on land given by John Abraham of Upminister. Spurgeon preached at the stone-laying and gave £100 to the building fund. (fn. 127) The first settled pastor came in 1890. A schoolroom was added in 1885. The church itself was enlarged in 1903. Between 1931 and 1936 it was further enlarged and modernized, and new schools were built. North Street was for long the leading nonconformist church in Hornchurch, and founded three other churches.
Elm Park Baptist church, Rosewood Avenue, originated in 1937, with house meetings and a Sunday school, supported by the Hornchurch Baptists and the Essex Baptist Association. (fn. 135) A school-chapel was built in 1938, and the church was formally constituted in 1939. The building was damaged by bombing in 1940. A youth hall was added in 1946. A new church was built in 1963.
A Wesleyan Methodist society, meeting in a house, was reported in 1829. (fn. 136) It had a regular congregation of 80, and was under the care of the Romford minister in the Spitalfields circuit. The house may have been Hollies, in North Street, which was being used as a nonconformist chapel about 1835. (fn. 137) In 1854 part of a building occupied by Jonathan Diaper of Hornchurch was registered for Wesleyan worship. (fn. 138) That society also seems to have been short-lived.
Gidea Park (Wesleyan) Methodist church, Manor Avenue, originated in 1926, when a school-chapel, in the Ilford circuit, was opened. (fn. 139) Extensions were carried out in 1931–2. Gidea Park was transferred to the new Romford circuit in 1947. A new church was built in 1958.
Hornchurch (Wesleyan) Methodist church, High Street, originated about 1929 with meetings in the Masonic Hall. (fn. 140) A school-chapel, in the Ilford circuit, was opened in 1933. It was transferred to the Romford circuit in 1947. A new church was built in 1958.
Grenfell Hall Methodist church, Grenfell Avenue, originated in the early 1930s with house meetings. (fn. 144) A site was given by Thomas England, the estate developer, and a two-storey church was opened in 1936. It was in the Ilford circuit until 1947 and then in the Romford circuit.
Elm Park affiliated synagogue was established in 1939, and became affiliated to the United Synagogue in 1948. (fn. 158) A permanent building was erected in Woburn Avenue in 1949.
1. H. E. Salter, Facsimiles of Oxford Charters, nos. 34 and 35; V.C.H. Essex, ii. 195; E.A.T. N.S. vi. 1–7; Horn. Docs. no. 78. For general accounts of the church see: C. T. Perfect, St. Andrew, Hornchurch (1923); Anne V. Worsley, Hornchurch Parish Church (1964).
2. E.A.T. N.S. xviii. 17; New Coll. MS. 9744, f. 162; Horn. Docs. no. 5; Cal. Pat. 1388–92, 262. As an alien priory Hornchurch had been in the king's hands since 1385: Cal. Fine R. 1383–91, 128, 168, 261, 301, 304, 322; Cal. Inq. Misc. v, pp. 153–4.
3. Horn. Docs. nos. 311–12. In 1315 parishioners had taken legal action against the priory for not presenting a vicar, but had lost the case: Horn. Docs. no. 137. Ralph de Longley, chaplain of Hornchurch, occurs in 1257: ibid. nos. 392, 512.
4. Ibid. no. 315 b.
5. For a list of vicars see Worsley, Hornchurch Par. Ch. 31. The style 'chaplain and vicar temporal' is still used for official purposes.
6. E.R.O., D/P 115/28/7; Smith, Havering, 147–8. See also Smith, Eccl. Hist. Essex, 249–50.
7. Gent. Mag. (1828), i. 305.
8. Inf. from New College; E.R.O., D/CP 8/61.
9. For the records of the peculiar of Writtle and Roxwell see Essex Parish Records (2nd edn.), 242.
10. Perfect, St. Andrew, 29–30.
12. See e.g. E.R.O., T/A 521/1 (Romford Vestry Mins.) 9 Sept. 1715, 23 Apr. 1750: bishops of London disclaim jurisdiction over Romford chapel.
13. Wills at Chelmsford (Brit. Rec. Soc.), vols. i–iii; E.R.O. D/P 115/28/6.
14. Horn. Docs. nos. 8, 231.
15. Hale, Precedents, 149, 151, 163, 184, 186, 188, 191–2, 200; E.R.O., T/Z 13/59.
16. E.R.O., T/A 521/1, f. 54.
17. Ibid. 27 Sept. 1683.
18. E.A.T. N.S. xix. 265.
19. E.R.O., T/A 521/1, 4 Mar. 1740.
20. New Coll. MS. 186 (visitation papers 1766–80); 187 (appointment of commissary, 1765, 1767); 190–6 (marriage licences etc. 1748–1841); 213, 1179, 3430 (probates etc., 1753–1839).
21. E.R.O., T/A 521/1, 3 May 1768.
23. Perfect, St. Andrew, 30–1.
24. New Coll. MS. 9744, f. 162.
26. Smith, Eccl. Hist. Essex, 249–50.
27. I.R. 29/12/162 and 177. For disputes concerning tithes in 1830–1 see E.R.O., D/P 115/28/8.
28. New Coll. MS. 2985.
30. Cf. E.R.O., D/DSa 63 (survey, 1650).
32. The name was in use by 1917: Perfect, Village of Hornchurch, 66.
33. New Coll. MS. 6394 (detailed building accounts).
34. E.R.O., T/Z 116/1 (G.L.C. Hist. Bdgs. Div. Rep. on the Chaplaincy, 1971).
35. Inf. from Vicar of Hornchurch.
36. The Times, 13 Oct. 1971.
37. E.A.T. N.S. xiii. 258.
38. E.R.O., D/AER 1, f. 12v.
39. E.R.O., D/AER 1, ff. 12V., 55, 75, 101V., 137, 145.
40. E.A.T. N.S. vi. 316; Prob. 11/16 (P.C.C. 8 Bennett, will of Tho. Crafford, 1508), cf. Worsley, Hornchurch Par. Ch. 26.
41. E 301/19/19; E 301/30/23; cf. Cal. Pat. 1549–51, 261–2.
42. E.R.O., D/AER 29, f. 95.
43. See e.g. E.R.O., D/P 115/28/7; Misc. Gen. Her. 3rd ser. ii. 20; Crockford's Cler. Dir. and Foster, Alumni Oxon. passim.
44. L. & P. Henry VIII, v, p. 293; xi, p. 587.
46. Hale, Precedents, 184, 186, 188, 191–2, 200; Assizes 35/32/H. For Leche's school see below, p. 53.
47. H. Smith, 'Sequence of Parochial Clergy in Essex, 1640–64.' (TS in E.R.O. Libr.), i. 15–16; Smith, Eccl. Hist. Essex, 122,193.
50. For an earlier example see Guildhall MS. 9553, f. 29 (curate licensed 1781).
51. C.C.L., Bp. Inskip's Recs. ii. 136; personal knowledge.
52. Hornchurch Parish Dir. (1973–4).
53. The following description is based mainly on: Anne V. Worsley, Hornchurch Parish Church. The use of Miss Worsley's research notes, including historical material collected by the archdeacon of Sheffield, the Ven. H. Johnson, formerly vicar of Hornchurch, is also gratefully acknowledged. For earlier accounts of the chuich: R.C.H.M. Essex. iv. 68–71; E.R. v. 18–40; C. T. Perfect, St. Andrew, Hornchurch.
54. Cal. Close, 1227–31, 42; Rot. Lit. Claus. (Rec. Com.), i. 441.
55. New Coll. Oxford MSS. 6402, 6404, 6405.
56. Ogborne, Essex, 139 and pl. f. p. 151. The Deyncourts held land in Hornchurch as well as Upminster: Cal. Inq. Misc. vii, p. 159.
58. R.C.H.M. Essex, iv. 70.
59. Perfect, St. Andrew, 9 n.
60. E.A.T. N.S. vi, pl. f. p. 200.
61. E.R.O., D/AER 1, f. 75 (will of Tho. Capron, 1486).
62. Revealed when the later ceilings were removed in 1957.
63. E.R.O., T/P 195/2, f. 150; E.R.O., D/P 115/8/1A, 4 June, 3 Sept 1716 (church rate of 18d. and £50 from Jn. Ward, lessee of Hornchurch Hall).
64. Chelmsford Chron. 4 Nov. 1852 (copy in E.R.O., T/P 196 (King MSS.), Eccl, Hist. Essex, iv, f. 21 sqq.).
65. E.R. v. 21 n.; Ogborne, Essex, 148.
67. Gent. Mag. (1828), i. 305–6.
68. Perfect, St. Andrew, 11; E.R.O., Sage Coll. no. 503.
69. Perfect, St. Andrew, 12, 16–17.
71. Havering Recorder, 6 Feb. 1970.
72. Worsley, Hornchurch Par. Ch. 29–30, cover, frontispiece; Perfect, St. Andrew, 58; see plate facing this page.
73. Gent. Mag. (1828), i. 305; Camden, Brit. (1610 edn.), 441; J. Weever, Ancient Funerall Monuments, 646; E.R.O., T/P 195/2 (Holman MSS.), Hornchurch, f. 1; Salmon, Essex, 242; N. & Q. 2nd ser. i. 520.
74. P.N. Essex, 111–12; cf. E. Ekwall, Oxford Dic. Eng. P.N. s.v. Hornchurch. High St. was called Pell St. in the 13th cent.
75. Horn. Docs. p. vi; Worsley, Hornchurch Par. Ch. f. p. 21.
76. E.R.O., T/P 195/2, Hornchurch, f. 4.
78. E.R.O., Sage Coll. nos. 502–3.
79. E.R.O., D/AER 1, f. 12v.
80. E.A.T. N.S. iii. 42.
81. Perfect, St. Andrew, 16; H. Bevington, Psalms and Hymn-Tunes as set on the new organ . . . in Hornchurch [n.d., c. 1837: Copy in H.R.L.].
82. White's Dir. Essex (1863), 592; Perfect, St. Andrew, 16.
83. Ch. Bells Essex, 300; Perfect, St. Andrew, p. vii.
84. Perfect, St. Andrew, 17–19.
85. Ibid. 17–20; Ch. Bells Essex, 300–1.
87. Ch. Plate Essex, 14; Worsley, Hornchurch Par. Ch. 27.
88. Ch. Chests Essex, 142.
89. These have been described in print, with others now lost: R.C.H.M. Essex, iv. 70–1; E.R. v. 29–38; E.A.T. N.S. ix. 27–8; x. 204–6; xi. 321–34; Salmon, Essex, 253–4; Worsley, Hornchurch Par. Ch. 25–7.
90. Cf. V.C.H. Essex, ii. 197.
91. Chancellor, Sep. Mons. Essex, 327–9; A. B. Bamford, Sketches in Royal Liberty of Havering, no. 4.
92. E.R.O., D/P 115/5/1. There was further spoliation in the 19th cent.: E.A.T. N.S. xi. 321.
93. Unless otherwise stated this and the following paragraph are based on: Rep. Com. Char. , p. 724 (1837–8) xxv (1); E.R.O., D/P 115/5/1; Char. Com. Files; inf. from Mr. F. C. Hamlyn and Char. Com.
94. Perfect, Village of Hornchurch, 108. For Whennell see below, p. 55.
95. Smith, Eccl. Hist. Essex, 249–50, 348.
96. See pp. 23, 83.
99. Perfect, St. Andrew, 52.
102. Paragraph based on: W. G. and M. M. Budner, Faith at Work … the church of St Peter, Harold Wood, 1871–1971. See also: E.R.O., D/CPc 278 and 288; D/CC 90/6; D/CP 8/28.
106. Perfect, St. Andrew, 52–4.
108. E.R.O., D/CC 84/6; E.R. xlii. 200.
109. Kelly's Dir. Essex (1937).
110. E.R.O., D/CC 107/5; ibid. D/CP 5/7.
112. Cath. Rec. Soc. xxii. 50; Essex Recusant, i. 53, 77.
113. Cath. Rec. Soc. xix. 372 n. 373 n; Essex Recusant, ii. 11; vi. 54; xii. 74; Perfect, Village of Hornchurch, 47.
114. Cath Dir. (1973); G.R.O. Worship Reg. 53470, 54370; Foundation stone.
115. Cath. Dir. (1973); G.R.O. Worship Reg. 59058.
116. G.R.O. Worship Reg. 67806.
117. Ibid. 65042; Cath. Dir. (1973).
119. This section was written in 1975.
120. A. Gordon, Freedom after Ejection, 40, 43. Unless otherwise stated this paragraph is based on: W. W. Biggs, Cong. Ch. Romford, 11; J. P. Longstaff, Romford Cong. Ch., 30–1, 39–40.
121. Cf. Smith, Eccl. Hist. Essex, 372.
122. Cf. V.C.H. Essex, v. 297.
123. Romford Observer, 1 March 1973; inf. from L.B. Havering, Engineer's Dept.
124. G.R.O. Worship Reg. 8640; O.S. Map 6", Essex, LXXV (surv. 1865–6).
125. E.C.U. Reps. 1869–77; Cong. Year Bks. (1866–80).
126. Unless otherwise stated this paragraph is based on: R. M. Nurse, Hist. Hornchurch Baptist Ch. (1953); E.R.O., D/NB 2/1–4.
127. Strat. Expr. 19 July, 1882.
128. D. Witard, Bibles in Barrels, 171.
131. E.R.O., D/NB 2/3; Bapt. Handbk. (1933 and later edns.).
133. G.R.O. Worship Reg. 67336.
135. Paragraph based on: E.R.O., D/NB 2/3 and 4; R. M. Nurse, Hist. Hornchurch Bapt. Ch.; Witard, Bibles in Barrels, 171.
137. Perfect, Village of Hornchurch, 89.
138. G.R.O. Worship Reg. 2461; cf. White's Dir. Essex (1863), p. 594: Jonathan Draper (sic), coachbuilder.
139. Paragraph based on: E. Barrett, The Lamp still Burns, 9, 10, 33–4; Wesleyan Chapel Cttee. Reps. (1926–32); inf. from Rev. G. Maland.
140. Paragraph based on: Barrett, The Lamp still Burns, 10, 37–8; inf. from Mr. J. Jenkinson.
141. G.R.O. Worship Reg. 31855.
142. Paragraph based on: Harold Wood Meth. Ch. 21st Anniversary (1950); Barrett, The Lamp still Burns, 48, 55, 81.
143. Personal knowledge; G.R.O. Worship Reg. 68793.
144. Paragraph based on: Barrett, The Lamp still Burns, 10–11, 40.
146. Paragraph based on: Perfect, Village of Hornchurch, 92–4; W. W. Biggs, Cong. Ch. Romford. 25.
147. Cong. Year Bk. (1910), 147.
149. Perfect, Village of Hornchurch, 94.
150. G.R.O. Worship Reg. 50881, cf. 66668.
151. Ibid. 55805; 63340; 71909 (9, Hillview Rd.).
152. Paragraph based on: Wilson & Whitworth's Romford Almanack (1902 and later edns.); Strat. Expr. 20 Feb. 1892; Worship Reg. 34660, cf. 38884; Foundation stone.
153. Hornchurch Official Guide (1951), 61; Worship Reg. 63545.
154. Hornchurch Official Guide (1951), 61; G.R.O. Worship Reg. 63285.
155. G.R.O. Worship Reg. 69402.
156. Havering Dir. Local Organizations (1971), 5–7.
157. Kelly's Dir. Essex (1929), s.v. Romford; G.R.O. Worship Reg. 53076.
158. Account based on: inf. from Secretary, United Synagogue; G.R.O. Worship Reg. 62542; Foundation stone.

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