Campaigners wanting to preserve a tradition of weekly worship at Wanstead’s St Mary’s church on Overton Drive have had some good news – though there are strings attached.
The Bishop of Chelmsford, the Rt Revd Stephen Cottrell, has decided not to accept a plan that would have seen services take place at St Mary’s on just a handful of Sundays each year. This was the decision that members of the congregation at St Mary’s had been lobbying him for.
But the bishop also decided that most services at St Mary’s would be led by a lay member of the congragation, rather than one of the ordained ministers. There would now only be one Holy Communion at the church each month, instead of the current four. On one Sunday each month there would be a joint service at Christ Church.
The Wanstead parish has two churches – St Mary’s and Christ Church – and the parish had proposed the plan to stop weekly worship at St Mary’s, even though the congregation who go there wanted it to continue. The rector of Wanstead, the Revd Jack Dunn, said he “warmly welcomed the [bishop’s] wise and compassionate” decision.
In short, then, it means that the precious Wanstead building can continue to be used on most weeks. A working group is being set up which will attempt to find ways to make the new arrangement sustainable.
A lost space-bike or something like it – which looks like an essential accessory for an Infinity Wars Lego set – has been found on Hermon Hill. A conscientious Scout* took the bike (or whatever) home, washed it, serviced it, rebuilt it and replaced some missing parts, and it is now back on the wall at the end of Wellington Road ready for its rightful owner to collect.
Another slice of Wanstead from 1963 from former resident Kerry Renshaw. This time it’s the corner of Grove Park and the High Street, featuring the Corner House. At first glance not much has changed, though the trees are obviously bigger.
Zooming in on the shopfronts tells us a bit more.
There is a fur shop visible – but the other names are still a bit too blurry. Some longtime residents will no doubt recognise them (and Terry Manning, if you’re reading, would you mind looking in your copy of Kelly’s Directory again?)
The case against ceasing weekly worship at St Mary’s church in Overton Drive has received influential support, as campaigners attempt to persuade the Bishop of Chelmsford not to agree to the closure plan.
The Wanstead Historical Society, which is not related to the anti-closure campaigners, has written to the bishop, the Rt Revd Stephen Cottrell, setting out the case for the church remaining in frequent use.
In its powerfully argued letter, it warns against the building being left unused for long periods, something which would inevitably happen with the current proposal, which would only see services taking place there a handful of times each year.
The letter states:
We treasure Wanstead’s history which we see as a continuum, including a duty to contribute to a good future by right present actions. The place of this parish church in Wanstead’s story is fundamental. We know that you will be well aware of the building’s history and its place in the community…
The Society is shocked at the prospect of diminution of its role in the life of the parish and wishes to record its objection to the present proposal to restrict services to selected major events in the Church’s calendar.
Firstly, we see the the parish and its officers as stewards of a magnificent heritage. While it is feasible and not damaging to take this heritage to future generations in the best possible way, we believe it right to do so.
We understand that the parish has resources to well afford the church’s maintenance costs and attendance. We further understand that the church’s support is strong, with well over fifty communicants regularly supporting Sunday morning worship. We understand too that worshippers voluntarily maintain access and provide other duties when required. Plainly, the level of its parishioners’ commitment, attendance and support is high.
Thirdly, we believe that the building’s Grade 1 status alone warrants the parish’s strong and predominant support in the circumstances. Any such building in regular and important use, in the charge of people committed to its care who possess the required understanding and resources will naturally prosper: a building of this status must, we assert, be given every opportunity to prosper. Left unused for substantial periods, it will lose its place in our minds and, to some extent, suffer.
Wanstead is one parish with two churches. Both are historic masterpieces of design with prominent designers and significant histories. We understand that their full service to the parish is indeed feasible and we believe that the parish’s fullest support of both warrants this.
Wanstead is one parish with two churches. Both are historic masterpieces of design with prominent designers and significant histories. We understand that their full service to the parish is indeed feasible and we believe that the parish’s fullest support of both warrants this.
We believe that the parish’s current proposal is wrong and we humbly ask that you exercise your powers to see the proposal set aside.
Campaigners are still waiting for the bishop to decide whether the plan to convert St Mary’s into a “festival church” – ie one which is open for festival Sundays – is to be approved.
A mystery painting by artist Elwin Hawthorne, which has remained unidentified for years, has been recognised as being St Mary’s Church on Overton Drive.
The Twitter account @EastLondonGroup, which celebrates a group of 20th Century artists of the same name, has for a while been trying to identify one of Hawthorne’s pictures which was previously known as “untitled”.
Thanks to vigorous tweeting of the @MarysSave group which is trying to save St Mary’s from being closed for regular worship, the church was identified successfully.
Incredibly this view is almost achievable today if you stand from the edge of the now @wansteadgolf and @wansteadcc. Look closely to the right of St Mary’s and you can just see the grand stables of the original #WansteadHouse…now the golf club house.
The scaffolding which has been up at St Mary’s for several months is now being removed, restoring the views of the magnificent building, as seen in these pictures.
The Wanstead Tap on Friday evening was hit by a fire leading to everyone being evacuated and the Fire brigade attending. No one was hurt, and owner Dan Clapton says he has not yet been able to go inside to assess damage.
He did say, though, that if the fire had happened when nobody was there, the whole place would have been burnt down. He has not yet confirmed the cause
Customers and locals for the bar, in Winchelsea Road, have been pledging support and help on social media, and Dan says the venue will return.
In its young life the Tap has become a vibrant location for cultural events, winning several awards and a glittering line-up of guests. Though being closer to Forest Gate than Wanstead High St, the Tap does actually fall within the historic boundaries of Wanstead parish, and has its roots in a craft beer stall which Dan started running at the Wanstead farmers’ market.
