Church Heritage Record 608091

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Romford: St John The Divine

Name:

This is the church’s legal name as given by the Church Commissioners.

Romford: St John The Divine
Record Type:

A classification of the current status of the building

Closed Church
Church code:

This is a unique identification number supplied to each church building by the Church Commissioners.

608091
Diocese:

Name of diocese in which the church building is located at the time of entry.

Chelmsford
Archdeaconry:

Name of archdeaconry in which the church building is located at the time of entry

Barking
Parish:

This is the legal name of the parish as given by the Church Commissioners.

Romford

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Statutory Designation Information

Listed Building?

The decision to put a church building on the National Heritage List for England and assign it a listing grade is made by the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport. The decision is normally based on recommendations made by Historic England, the government’s adviser on the historic environment.

This is not a Listed Building
Scheduled Monument?

The decision to schedule a feature (building, monument, archaeological remains, etc.) located within the church building’s precinct or churchyard is made by the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport. The decision is based on recommendations made by Historic England, the government’s adviser on cultural heritage.

There is no Scheduled Monument within the curtilage or precinct

National Park

National Parks are areas of countryside that include villages and towns, which are protected because of their beautiful countryside, wildlife and cultural heritage. In England, National Parks are designated by Natural England, the government’s advisor on the natural environment.

The church is not in a National Park

Conservation Area

Conservation areas are places of special architectural or historic interest where it is desirable to preserve and enhance the character and appearance of such areas. Conservation Areas are designated by the Local Council.

The church is not in a Conservation Area

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Heritage At Risk Status

On Heritage At Risk Register?

The Heritage at Risk programme is run and managed by Historic England, the government’s advisor on cultural heritage. It aims to protect and manage the historic environment, so that the number of ‘at risk’ historic places and sites across England are reduced.

This church is not on the Heritage at Risk Register
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Approximate Date

Approximate Date:

Selecting a single date for the construction of a church building can sometimes be very difficult as most CoE buildings have seen many phases of development over time. The CHR allows you to record a time period rather than a specific date.

The CHR records the time period for the building’s predominant fabric as opposed to the date of the earliest fabric or the church’s foundation date.

Work in progress - can you help?

Exterior Image

Exterior image of 608091 Romford St John
Caption:

603242 

Exterior image of 608091 Romford St John
Description:

It seems to be the wrong photograph. Provided coordinates come up with another church on geograph.org.uk

Photograph showing the church as seen from the west (on the left) and from the south-east (on the right)
Year / Date:

2011, April 06

April 2009
Copyright:

Keltek Trust

Archbishops' Council
Originator:

Keltek Trust

Joseph Elders

Summary Description

Missing help text - to be added by an administrator
The church appears as a fairly typical building of the period, a small neo-Romanesque basilica with short central tower, with more recent additions. The interior features many touches of quality. It is painted light blue and white and adheres to a Byzantine style. St John's succeeded a mission chapel in the parish and was built on a new site in 1927-8 to designs by Caröe & Passmore, but the tower and west end were not completed until the 1980s, when a low west porch and 2-storey vestry on the south side of the chancel were also added.

Visiting and Facilities

Missing help text - to be added by an administrator
The church is closed for worship.
Date closed for worship:
Work in progress - can you help?
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Church Website

Church Website:

www.holytrinitylyonsdown.org.uk

Work in progress - can you help?

Sources and Further Information

Missing help text - to be added by an administrator
Joseph Elders (April 2009) Exterior image of 608091 Romford St John [Digital Archive/Graphic material]
Exterior image of 608091 Romford St John
Joseph Elders (April 2009) Interior image of 608091 Romford St John [Digital Archive/Graphic material]
Interior image of 608091 Romford St John
ICBS (1817-1989) Incorporated Church Building Society Archive https://images.lambethpalacelibrary.org.uk/luna/servlet/detail/LPLIBLPL~34~34~161791~122032 [Archive/Graphic material]

Ground plan

ICBS File Number - 11731

Coverage - 1927-1928

Created by CAROE, William Douglas: b. 1857 - d. 1938 of London

ICBS (1817-1989) Incorporated Church Building Society Archive https://images.lambethpalacelibrary.org.uk/luna/servlet/detail/LPLIBLPL~34~34~161801~122033 [Archive/Graphic material]

Ground plan

ICBS File Number - 11731

Coverage - 1932

Created by CAROE & PASSMORE

Church Buildings Council (2019) Church Bells 1 Bell [Archive/Index]
1 Bell

If you notice any errors with the below outlines of your connected churchyards, please email heritageonline@churchofengland.org with the corrections needed.

This could include information on new churchyards, edits to the boundaries shown, or different land characteristics. 

We are working on adding the consecrated land found within local authority cemeteries, and in time, this data will be shown on the map.

Grid Reference: TQ 501 891

To zoom into an area hold the SHIFT key down then click and drag a rectangle.

Administrative Area

Great London Authority:

The administrative area within which the church is located.

Greater London Authority

Location and Setting

This field describes the setting of the church building, i.e. the surroundings in which the church building is experienced, and whether or not it makes a positive or negative contribution to the significance of the building.

A 1920's suburban church of brown brick, set within a contemporary residential estate of mostly semi-detached houses just south off the A12, well within the M25. The vicarage is adjacent to the north, and north of this again is a church hall built in the 1950s. The church building has little vertical emphasis and is not really visible from the surrounding roads, rather tucked away between houses. There are no graves in the small churchyard, parking is possible in the car park of the church hall. The main access from Pretoria Road leads to the west end, the least prepossessing elevation.

Church Plan

Work in progress - can you help?

Ground Plan Description and Dimensions

Ground Plan

Provide as written description of the ground plan of the church building and well as its dimensions.

West porch, nave with central tower, chancel with 2-storey south vestry and north chapel.

Dimensions

Missing help text - to be added by an administrator

Nave 15m long, 5m wide.

Footprint of Church buildings (m2):

Small (<199m2)

Medium (200-599m2)

Large (600m-999m2)

Very Large (>1000m2)

Work in progress - can you help?

Description of Archaeology and History

This field aims to record the archaeological potential of the wider area around the building and churchyard, as well as the history of site.

Romford was a Medieval town, the Market Place and historic church (St Edward the Confessor) of which is still recognisable after it was developed as a suburb of Greater London in the early 20th century. The area in question, Collier Row, was a small hamlet to the north, its name taken from wood burners who are recorded here as early as the 15th century. The site has some archaeological potential and reference should be made to the Historic Environment Record if any development of the site is considered.

The church succeeded a mission chapel in the parish and was built on a new site in 1927-8 to designs by Caroe & Passmore, but the tower and west end were not completed until the 1980s, when a low west porch and 2-storey vestry on the south side of the chancel were also added. There was a more minor restoration for the Millennium.

Exterior Description

This field aims to record a written description of the exterior of the church building and the churchyard.

Externally, the church appears as a fairly typical building of the period, a small neo-Romanesque basilica with short central tower, with more recent additions. One has to venture inside to see the original vision, and recognise that a talented architect was at work here.

Starting with the west facade as approached from the gate, this has a very basic brick west porch with glazed foors, a bell hung above it from a bracket. The west gable above is pierced by a single round-arched window, added later when the west end was finished.

The tower is of two stages with a round-arched window to each face above an oculus, pyramidal roof and finial cross. The nave fenestration original has round-arched windows with good ferrementa, one to each bag, high in the walls. The chancel has a 3-light east window of stepped round-arched windows with colonettes, oculi to the side walls and a corbel table. Dedication stone, 1927. The south vestry has a long slit window at the corner.

Architects, Artists and Associated People/Organisations

Missing help text - to be added by an administrator
Who:
Caroe & Passmore
Role:
Architect
From:
01 Jan 1927
To:
31 Dec 1928
Contribution:

Building Fabric and Features

This field is an index of the building and its major components

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Collapse Building Fabric and FeaturesBuilding Fabric and Features
CHANCEL (20th Century)
CHAPEL (COMPONENT) (20th Century)
NAVE (20th Century)
PORCH (20th Century)
TOWER (COMPONENT) (20th Century)
VESTRY (20th Century)

Building Materials

This field is an index of the building’s material composition

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Collapse Building MaterialsBuilding Materials
BRICK (20th Century)
PANTILE (20th Century)
STONE (20th Century)

Interior Image

Interior image of 608091 Romford St John
Caption:
Missing help text - to be added by an administrator
Interior image of 608091 Romford St John
Description:
Missing help text - to be added by an administrator
Photograph showing the interior of the church looking east.
Year / Date:
Missing help text - to be added by an administrator
April 2009
Copyright:
Missing help text - to be added by an administrator
Archbishops' Council
Originator:
Missing help text - to be added by an administrator
Joseph Elders

Interior Description

This field aims to record a written description of the interior of the church building.

The interior is pleasant, with many touches of quality, painted in light blue and white and light and airy. The style here is Byzantine, perhaps influenced by the dedication, with elegant arcades of blue Hopton stone columns supporting a moulded entablature and a lofty tunnel-vaulted plastered roof, domed crossing and rich moulded stucco to the chancel arch and sanctuary. 2-bay arcades open to the north chapel and the vestry each side of the crossing.

The church is simply furnished with modern upholstered chairs, the stone High Altar provides a dignified focue. Woodblock floors partly under blue carpet. The organ stands free in front of the arcade to the north chapel.

Internal Fixtures and Fittings

This field is an index of the building’s internal, architectural components. This includes its internal spaces and those areas’ fixtures and fittings (building components which are securely fixed to the church or cathedral).

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Collapse Internal Fixtures and FittingsInternal Fixtures and Fittings
ALTAR (20th Century)
BELL (1 of 1)
LECTERN (20th Century)
ORGAN (COMPONENT) (20th Century)
PULPIT (20th Century)

Portable Furnishings and Artworks

This field is an index of the building’s movable, non-fixed furnishings and artworks.

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Collapse Portable Furnishings and ArtworksPortable Furnishings and Artworks
BOOK (20th Century)
SCROLL (20th Century)

If you notice any errors with the below outlines of your connected churchyards, please email heritageonline@churchofengland.org with the corrections needed.

This could include information on new churchyards, edits to the boundaries shown, or different land characteristics. 

We are working on adding the consecrated land found within local authority cemeteries, and in time, this data will be shown on the map.

Grid Reference: TQ 501 891

To zoom into an area hold the SHIFT key down then click and drag a rectangle.

Ecology

This field aims to record a description of the ecology of the churchyard and surrounding setting.

Work in progress - can you help?

Ecological Designations

Missing help text - to be added by an administrator

The everyday wildlife of burial grounds means much to those who visit and cherish them but many burial grounds are so rich in wildlife that they should be designated and specially protected. Few have the legal protection of a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) or, in the case of local authority owned cemeteries, Local Nature Reserve. This makes it even more important that they are cared for and protected by the people looking after them.

Many have a non-statutory designation as a recognition of their importance. These non-statutory designations have a variety of names in different regions including Local Wildlife Site, County Wildlife Site, Site of Importance for Nature Conservation or Site of Nature Conservation Importance (Local Wildlife Site is the most common name). Their selection is based on records of the most important, distinctive and threatened species and habitats within a national, regional and local context. This makes them some of our most valuable wildlife areas.

For example, many burial grounds which are designated as Local Wildlife Sites contain species-rich meadow, rich in wildflowers, native grasses and grassland fungi managed by only occasional mowing plus raking. When this is the case, many animals may be present too, insects, birds, amphibians, reptiles and mammals. This type of grassland was once widespread and has been almost entirely lost from the UK with approximately 3% remaining, so burial grounds with species-rich meadow managed in this way are extremely important for wildlife.

These designations should be considered when planning management or change.

If you think that this or any other burial ground should be designated please contact Caring for God’s Acre (info@cfga.org.uk) to discuss. Many eligible sites have not yet received a designation and can be surveyed and then submitted for consideration.

There are no SSSIs within the curtilage of this Closed Church.

There are no Local nature reserves within the curtilage of this Closed Church.

There are no Local Wildlife sites within the curtilage of this Closed Church.

Evidence of the Presence of Bats

This field aims to record any evidence of the presence of bats in the church building or churchyard.

The church has no evidence of bats

Burial and War Grave Information

This field records basic information about the presence of a churchyard and its use as a burial ground.

It is unknown whether the church or churchyard is consecrated. Work in progress - can you help?
Missing help text - to be added by an administrator
It is unknown whether the churchyard has been used for burial. Work in progress - can you help?
Missing help text - to be added by an administrator
It is unknown whether the churchyard is used for burial. Work in progress - can you help?
Missing help text - to be added by an administrator
It is unknown whether the churchyard is closed for burial. Work in progress - can you help?
Missing help text - to be added by an administrator
The churchyard does not have war graves.

National Heritage List for England Designations

Missing help text - to be added by an administrator

There are no Listed Buildings within the curtilage of this Closed Church.

There are no Scheduled Monuments within the curtilage of this Closed Church.

Ancient, Veteran & Notable Trees

Missing help text - to be added by an administrator

Churchyards are home to fantastic trees, in particular ancient and veteran trees which can be the oldest indication of a sacred space and be features of extraordinary individuality. The UK holds a globally important population of ancient and veteran yew trees of which three-quarters are found in the churchyards of England and Wales.

There are more than 1,000 ancient and veteran yews aged at least 500 years in these churchyards.

To put this in context, the only other part of western Europe with a known significant yew population is Normandy in northern France, where more than 100 ancient or veteran churchyard yews have been recorded.

Burial grounds may contain veteran and ancient trees of other species such as sweet chestnut or small-leaved lime which, whilst maybe not so old as the yews, are still important for wildlife and may be home to many other species.

Specialist advice is needed when managing these wonderful trees. For more information or to seek advice please contact Caring for God’s Acre, The Ancient Yew Group and The Woodland Trust.

If you know of an ancient or veteran tree in a burial ground that is not listed here please contact Caring for God’s Acre.

There are currently no Ancient, Veteran or Notable trees connected to this Closed Church

Churchyard Structures

This field is an index of the churchyard’s components.

Work in progress - can you help?

Significance

Setting Significance Level:

Significance is the whole set of reasons why people value a church, whether as a place for worship and mission, as an historic building that is part of the national heritage, as a focus for the local community, as a familiar landmark or for any other reasons.

Low
Setting Significance Description:
Missing help text - to be added by an administrator
A small neo-Romanesque 1920s church of local townscape significance.
Fabric Significance Level:
Missing help text - to be added by an administrator
Low
Fabric Significance Description:
Missing help text - to be added by an administrator
Of low architectural significance as it was never completed to the architect's designs.
Interior Significance Level:
Missing help text - to be added by an administrator
Moderate
Interior Significance Description:
Missing help text - to be added by an administrator
The interior is of good quality and some significance as an example of architectural and liturgical developments of this period.
Community Significance Level:
Missing help text - to be added by an administrator
Low
Community Significance Description:
Missing help text - to be added by an administrator
Another church, The Good Shepherd, very nearby.

Church Renewables

Missing help text - to be added by an administrator
Open the map of church renewable installations
Solar PV Panels:

This information forms part of the Shrinking the Footprint project.

No
Solar Thermal Panels:
Missing help text - to be added by an administrator
No
Bio Mass:
Missing help text - to be added by an administrator
No
Air Source Heat Pump:
Missing help text - to be added by an administrator
No
Ground Source Heat Pump:
Missing help text - to be added by an administrator
No
Wind Turbine:
Missing help text - to be added by an administrator
No
EV Car Charging:
Missing help text - to be added by an administrator
Unknown

Species Summary

Missing help text - to be added by an administrator

All of the species listed below have been recorded in close proximity to the Closed Church . A few species which are particularly threatened and affected by disturbance may not be listed here because their exact location cannot be shared.

NOTE: Be aware that this dataset is growing, and the species totals may change once the National Biodiversity Network has added further records. Species may be present but not recorded and still await discovery.

CategoryTotal species recorded to date
TOTAL NUMBER OF SPECIES RECORDED 0
Total number of animal species 0
Total number of plant species 0
Total number of mammal species 0
Total number of birds 0
Total number of amphibian and reptile species 0
Total number of invertebrate species 0
Total number of fungi species 0
Total number of mosses and liverworts (bryophytes) 0
Total number of ferns 0
Total number of flowering plants 0
Total number of Gymnosperm and Ginkgo 0

Caring for God’s Acre is a conservation charity working to support groups and individuals to investigate, care for, and enjoy the wildlife and heritage treasures found within churchyards and other burial grounds. Look on their website for information and advice and please contact their staff directly. They can help you manage this churchyard for people and wildlife.

To learn more about all of the species recorded against this church, go to the Burial Ground Portal within the NBN Atlas. You can check the spread of records through the years, discovering what has been recorded and when, plus what discoveries might remain to be uncovered.

‘Seek Advice’ Species

Missing help text - to be added by an administrator

If any of the following species have been seen close to the Closed Church, it is important to seek advice from an expert. You will need to know if they are present now, and to follow expert recommendations when planning works. All of these species have specific legal protection as a recognition of their rarity. All of them are rare or becoming increasingly endangered, so it is important to ensure that management and other works do not adversely affect them. In addition, there may be things you can do to help these special species. N.B. Swift and House Martin do not have specific legal protection but are included, as roof repair works often impact breeding swifts and house martins which is against the law.

This is not a complete list of protected species, there are many more, but these are ones that are more likely to be found. All wild birds, their nests and eggs are also protected by law, as are all bats and veteran trees. In a few cases, species are considered particularly prone to disturbance or destruction by people, so the exact location of where they were recorded is not publicly available but can be requested. These ‘blurred’ records are included here, and the accuracy is to 1km. This means that the species has been recorded in close proximity to the Closed Church, or a maximum of 1km away from it. As these ‘blurred’ species are quite mobile, there is a strong likelihood that they can occur close to the Closed Church. To learn about these special species, use the link provided for each species in the table below

One important species which is not included here is the Peregrine Falcon. This is protected and advice should be sought if peregrines are nesting on a church or cathedral. Peregrine records are ‘blurred’ to 10km, hence the decision not to include records here. Remember too that species not seriously threatened nationally may still be at risk in your region and be sensitive to works. You should check with local experts about this. You may also need to seek advice about invasive species, such as Japanese knotweed and aquatics colonising streams or pools, which can spread in churchyards.

N.B. If a species is not recorded this does not indicate absence. It is always good practice to survey.

No species data found for this record

Caring for God’s Acre can help and support you in looking after the biodiversity present in this special place. If you know that any of these species occur close to the Closed Church and are not recorded here, please contact Caring for God’s Acre with details (info@cfga.org.uk).

To find out more about these and other species recorded against this Closed Church, go to the Burial Ground Portal within the NBN Atlas.

The church was the centre of many people’s lives and remains a guide to their cares and concerns. Glimpses into those lives have often come down to us in the stories we heard as children or old photographs discovered in tattered shoe boxes. Perhaps your ancestors even made it into local legend following some fantastic event? You can choose to share those memories with others and record them for future generations on this Forum.

Tell us the story of this building through the lives of those who experienced it. Tell us why this church is important to you and your community.

Upload your photographs, share your videos, or compose your story below using a Facebook, Twitter, Google or Disqus account.

Refresh
WhoActionWhen
Oliver LackAdded an Architect, Artist or Associated Person/OrganisationThu 01 Sep 2022 11:48:34
Oliver LackModified asset data - Modified the Summary DescriptionThu 01 Sep 2022 11:47:49
Anna CampenModified asset data - Modified the Significance descriptionTue 25 Apr 2017 12:39:38
Anna CampenAdded object typeTue 25 Apr 2017 12:36:36
Anna CampenAdded interior feature typeTue 25 Apr 2017 12:36:17
Anna CampenAdded interior feature typeTue 25 Apr 2017 12:35:28
Anna CampenAdded object typeTue 25 Apr 2017 12:34:52
Anna CampenAdded interior feature typeTue 25 Apr 2017 12:34:01
Anna CampenAdded interior feature typeTue 25 Apr 2017 12:33:20
Anna CampenAdded interior feature typeTue 25 Apr 2017 12:32:29
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