St. Edward the Confessor, Romford

Ask anyone in Romford which is the oldest church in town and they are likely to name St.Edward The Confessor, the tall parish church in Romford Market Place. In fact, while the present church's site dates from around 1410 AD, the present building is a complete Victorian rebuild and only dates from 1850. It contains Elizabethan memorials rescued from the demolished 1410 building which further the 'medieval' illusion. www.flickr.com/photos/barryslemmings/sets/72157594360883185/ to see full set.

The title of Romford's 'oldest church' really belongs to the plain brick Baptist church in Main Road, opposite Cottons Park, which only dates from the 1840s.

Romford parish church was originally nowhere near the present site but was on the other side of the River Rom [then called the Mercheditch - the 'murky' ditch] but this first site was prone to flooding so the parish church was removed to the present market site in 1410. The earlier site retained its building and church connections for many years and was known as the Old Church - and is now occupied by Oldchurch Hospital. This hospital is due to close when the new Romford hospital opens next month.

In 1850 the new church was re-consecrated to The Virgin Mary and St.Edward the Confessor but St Mary appears to have been quietly dropped. St.Edward is very much the 'local' saint as his palace was just north of Romford at Havering. The east window was blown out in an air raid in 1941 but was replaced in 1950.

The Market Place outside has a long history and a medieval market charter pre-dating the church. The market is still a hive of activity on Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays with market stalls almost up to the gate of the churchyard.