Hie Joum ufof the (Bromfey (Borough LocafHistory Society

(December 1999

Hie (Memoriaf‘Window to Hazef%issic^ in (Bromfey (Parish Church see article on page 8 Bromleage December 1999

The inaugural meeting of the Borough Local History Society was held, twenty-five years ago, on 20th March 1974 at Stockwcll College, now the Civic Centre, when over 100 people attended. The first newsletter went out in May, and the first Bromlcage was issued in August 1974.

As we go into a new century, the Society’s aim is that anyone with an interest in the history of any part of the Borough can meet to exchange information and to learn more. History is continually being made and at the same time destroyed, buildings are altered or demolished, memories fade and people pass away, records get destroyed or thrown in the bin. We aim, in co-operation with the local history library, museums and other relevant organisations, to make sure at least some of this history is preserved for future generations.

Meetings arc held at 7.45 pm on the first Tuesday of the month, from October to July, in the Methodist Church Hall, North Street, Bromley (there is parking available, bus services nearby and facilities for the disabled).

In addition, daytime meetings are held at 2.30 pm on the second Wednesday of January, March, May, July, September and November in the Methodist Church Hall at the comer of Bromley and Bevington Roads, . This is on several bus routes and there is a large public car park nearby.

Members receive Bromleage four times a year.

You are welcome to come along to one of our meetings to see if you would like to join. You will be made very welcome and won’t be pressed to join, although non-members are invited to make a donation of £1 towards the costs of the meeting.

However if you wish to join, the subscription rates are £8.50 for an individual, £10 for a husband and wife. Senior Citizens pay a reduced rate of £6 for an individual, £8 for a couple. Members joining after 30th June pay half these rates, but only receive two journals. There is also a charge of 50p per member at the Bromley meetings.

Our next Bromley meetings will be:

Tuesday, 4th January 2000 The History of the Thames Police John Joslin

Tuesday, 1“ February 2000 A Visit to the Local Studies Section, Bromley Library. More interesting archives will be displayed for society members to see.

The next Beckenham meetings will be:

Wednesday, 12th January 2000 W.G. Grace - Twilight Years in S.E. John King Wednesday, 8,h March 2000 History of the River Police John Joslin

Chairman & Membership Sec, Dr A. Allnutt, Woodside, Old Perry Street, , BR7 6PP

Hon. Sec: Mrs P. Knowlden, 62 Harvest Bank Road, , BR4 9DJ (tel. 0181462 5002) / ■ Editors: Paul & Denise Rason, 1 South Drive, , BR6 9NG e-mail [email protected] We are always happy to receive articles, large or small, for inclusion in the newsletter. Wc may not be able to use your article immediately, as we try to maintain a balance between research and reminiscences and articles about different subjects and parts of the borough. Illustrations to accompany the article are always welcome. v ______. The opinions expressed arc those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Editors or of the Society. Each contributor is responsible for the content of their paper. O BBLHS

2 Biomlcagc IJccembcr 1999

EDITORIAL

This edition reflects the history of just ten of the on drums and guitars, or the more traditional solemn churches in the area, as sent in by members. If more organ booming out its message. are forthcoming, our March edition (deadline 14”1 Feb. 2000) could continue this theme. Articles are also An outsider can soon feel which sect or denomination sought for our June issue, when we hope to have the gathering belongs to. Certainly the Baptists are Transport as the theme and September - the history of always well turned out in their Sunday best, the men local societies. Editors with ties and very clean shoes, the ladies with hats and handbags. No jeans or trousers for most of these It is appropriate In this final year of the Millennium, a ladies. date of Christian significance, that I should have been scouring local places of worship in my quest to The Catholics always give the impression of two discover and record all the War Memorials in the unequal halves; the devout believers and those who Borough of Bromley. That project is now complete and appear to wish to be seen as 'having attended'. They the council have made a fine job of printing the results, come in later and are on their way before the final which in fact runs into 5 volumes. Copies are available blessing. Again the established churches have two for reference in the Local Studies Library in Bromley sides but not generally in the same church. Here the Central Library, and the reference sections of the style appears to reflect the attitudes of the clergy. Orpington and Beckenham libraries, plus a copy in the Either traditional or evangelical (Happy Clappy) with Museum at Orpington. Although I say the project is up-beat presentations and joyous singing. And this complete, I am sure there are more memorials that I need not be in modem buildings. Some of the most up­ have not discovered or which will surface now that the beat congregations I witnessed were in the oldest word is out about the project. I will be pleased (!) to churches. There are of course many variations in hear of any memorial, in any form and for any conflict between, and I wish them all well as they celebrate the and although too late for this published wort, an 2000th Anniversary of the birth of ChrisL additional note can always be made to ensure all our War Memorials are fully recorded. As I only visited churches which were likely to have wartime memorials, I cannot speak of the many new Although I have visited many other places during the Town Churches' which generally gather in non-church course of the year, the churches are where I have buildings, or the more recently established religious found most Memorials, as one might expect. houses of the ethnic minorities in the district

My lasting impression of the churches I have visited, as Although all the reports of recent years indicate a a non-church attender, is of the vastly differing styles of decline in the numbers attending Church, it may be that the buildings and their congregations. Some are, as we become more multi-faith as we enter the next sadly, poorly supported with a dwindling membership. Millennium, the counting of numbers attending 'church' Others are full on Sundays with lively groups of singers should reflect all religions. Paul Rason, Co-Editor

CONTENTS The Parish Church of St. Mary, Plaistow Geoffrey Eames 4 Bromley Parish Church Patricia Knowlden 8 St. Joseph's and St. Swithun’s Roman Catholic churches, Bromley S.P. 10 Churches Together in Orpington Martin Jones 10 Congregational Church Edna East 11 Christian Churches in West Wickham Joyce Walker 12 St Giles the Abbot and the parish of Famborough 15 Roundabout Eric Inman 17 St Francis of Assisi In the 1930s Ron Cox 18 Christ Church, Beckenham Chris Porteous 22 Anglican churches in Bromley Borouqh Chris Porteous 22 St George’s, Beckenham Doris Pullen 23 Bromley residents and peninsula Mary Mills 24

Please ensure that the Local Studies library receives copies of any Millennium publications. Please don't forget to renew your subscription for 2000!

3 Bromleage December 1999

THE PARISH CHURCH OF ST. MARY, PLAISTOW.

St. Mary's Church emerged empirically in the the north and south, and Babbacombt Road natural order of events. For seven centuries and London Road on the east and west. the Parish Church of Bromley had sufficed for all the devotions required of the town. But The original church building comprised a now, partly due to the arrival of the railway in somewhat, stark oblong erection with bell 1858, the population of the town increased tower, approximating to the outline of the rapidly, and additional churches were found to present day nave. It had to endure the obloquy be needed. of being denounced by "The London Standard” as “one of the ugliest unfinished In 1839 the church of Holy Trinity at Bromley churches near London.” Unbelievably this Common had been built to service south chapel-of-ease subsumed a gallery at the west Bromley. Plaistow, in north Bromley, the end but this had a life of only four years. town’s principal hamlet, together with the districts of Farwig - and what was then known The small Church remained badly over­ as New Bromley, demanded a new place of crowded. In 1879, the architect W.R. Mallett worship. Somewhat dismissively it was (later to become Churchwarden and indeed pronounced - "As the residents consist almost Chairman of the U.D.C.) drew up a sketch for totally of journeymen and labourers a place of a commodious, completed St. Mary's Church, low church persuasion with free seats is called which was approved by the Vestry. This for.” breath-taking design showed the Church not only with a chancel and north and south Largely thanks to the generosity of the Scott transept added, but also two side-aisles and a family of Sundridge Park (‘‘the Mansion”) 150-foot tower and spire. It is an astonishing which was then within the parish, a site in impression, and says much for the architect Brown Field to the west of Plaistow Lane (re­ that the corpus of it became a reality. named College Road in 1897) was purchased from Morgan Trustees and building at an original estimate of £3,000 commenced in 1862.

The foundation stone was laid by a member of the Scott family, and St. Mary’s Chapel-of- Ease was consecrated and dedicated by the Archbishop of Canterbury - the parish being within the See Of Canterbury until 1905 - on Tuesday, 15lh September 1863. The adjoining charity lands, owned by the Church of St. Mary Aldermary in the City of London may have suggested a name for the dedication of Bromley’s third church. Mr W.R. Mallcit’s design for St Mary's Church 1879

The new parish embraced some 6,000 souls, The year 1881 saw a considerable advance, a increasing with new building at the rate of 200 la Mallett with the addition of a chancel, a year. It enveloped an area of no less than vestries and organ chamber. The foundation 650 acres encompassing what are today the stone was laid by Lady Scott, widow of the separate parishes of St. John’s, St. Andrew’s great benefactor Sir Edward Scott, who had and Christ Church, and part of the benefice died aged only 41. The chancel was lands of the Parish Church. After these consecrated by the Archbishop of Canterbury subventions the Parish of Plaistow contracted in May 1881. The Chapcl-of-Easc was thus to its existing benefice, comprising the land upgraded to the Parish Church of Plaistow. between Avondale Road and Tweedy Road on With the population of Plaistow still steadfastly increasing, further major steps

A Bromleage December 1999

were taken to accommodate the attendance. the finest in the Deanery. It was built as two- Lady Scott laid the foundation stone of the manual in 1881, with the pipes in the chancel south transept in July 1891 and it was and south transept, and enlarged to three- dedicated on 10th January 1892. The entrance manual in 1892. thereto was fronted by a grandiose narthex, enriched by much elaborate tracery. It was, But the pride and joy of the Church is instantly unfortunately, awkwardly sited for general the East Window at the Sanctuary - “Our Lord entry. At this point an ornamental fleche in Glory enthroned, with orb and sceptre in supporting a gilt cross was mounted on the hand, surmounted by a choir of angels”. This roof of the Church. The consecration of a was emplaced in 1884 by Lady Scott as a north transept and enlarged vestries took place memorial to her late husband. Providence was on 1st October 1900, for which Lady Farquhar generous to St. Mary's on the night of 16th - Lady Scott on remarriage - had also laid a April 1941, when Bromley suffered eight other foundation stone on 26th May of the same churches, headed by the Parish Church itself, year. It must be a rare church indeed wherein destroyed or devastated by enemy action. But the foundation stones of the four main five-eighths of the beloved East Window was constituents have all been laid by the same shattered by bomb blast. Happily complete family, and all consecrated by the Archbishop restoration was found possible, and, boarded of Canterbury himself. up for nine years, “our Lord in Glory” was unveiled to a miraculous second coming in Thus was St. Mary's given its present 1950. cruciform shape, all the work of one firm of architects, all built of flint and Caen stone. An enduring debt is due to early benefactors who took a special pride and pleasure in Even with these adjuncts the Church remained beautifying the Church. 'Phis found vivid overcrowded. Thus for the Church’s Golden expression in the stained glass windows Jubilee in 1913, Mallett's drawing of the largely designed by the same 19th century church was again floated in support of a artists. Dominant is the huge West Window, subscription list for the construction of the the first to be installed in 1876, depicting the south side-aisle and of the tower itself. But four Evangelists. The many other painted with the start of the Great War and depressed windows, notably those flanking the nave church attendances and unremitting penury in depict events in the life of Jesus. the inter-war years the project was side-lined and has rarely been referred to again. Like so The initial and arresting mural was erected in many the Church was to remain uncompleted 1876. It is a three-part illustration of "The with an unprepossessing “'temporary” main Lost Sheep” immediately below the West entrance alongside the bell tower. Window. However, a remarkable feature of the Church today is the set of mural paintings However, two developments greatly at the cast end in the chancel and sanctuary, ameliorated this situation. In 1972 the bell rare in a London church. These wall paintings turret was crowned with a handsome pre-cast in 15th century Flemish style depict religious stone and copper finish. Then, in 1997, and biblical scenes. They were skilfully and financial reserves being equal to it, a properly meticulous revived in 1990, and can now be spacious oak-framed entry porch with covered admired in all the radiance of their original “lych-gate style" extension was constructed. 19th century colours. This indubitably added to the Church’s balanced and beckoning aspect. And, of Other major features of the Church inside course, now there is millennium flood­ include the richly decorated High Altar of lighting. Thus the exterior; no tower, but it 1881; the imperious reredos above it. panelled could so easily have dominated rather than and inlaid with elaborate paintings, built decorated. separately in three parts over three years from 1891; the capacious eight-sided font, executed St. Mary’s has a resplendent interior, being in Caen stone and red Devonshire marble in particularly noted for its Great Organ with 1979; the wrought iron railings and gate detached console, which is considered one of mounted on a septum wall of African marble,

5 Bromleage December 1999

fortifying the chancel and dedicated in 1913 to Hodgson was to preside over the great mark the Golden Jubilee of the church: the formative period of St. Mary's, and carved oak pulpit dedicated as a Great War unquestionably takes premier place in the St. memorial; and the two massive mahogany Mary’s vicariate ‘March of Time’. Vitally, the sanctuary chairs presented by the Dean and size of congregations signally increased and he Chapter of Rochester Cathedral in 1939. over-saw two massive enlargements of the Church buildings. With the willing co­ As a feature of the re-ordering of the Church operation of the parishioners, new institutions for the Centenary in 1963, the south transept came into being. These included a Coal and was converted into a seemly Resurrection, or Clothing Club, Penny Readings, sys»ematic Lady Chapel. Largely constructed in oak, this Visiting, a Working Men's Fellowship, Church transition was a triumph of inspired Lads’ Brigade and Women's Meetings. He architectural simplicity, was musical, and at first trained the choir himself, witnessing the installation in 1881 of It is noticeable that prior to the present the first organ and its subsequent enlargement. incumbency, three out of a total of twelve He extended the Church Day Schools, and Vicars, accounted for a period of seventy-nine greatly developed the Sunday Schools adding years, well over half the life of the Church, “treats”. As if this were not enough, he built each at the helm for over twenty-five years the first Vicarage (today Church House) in until virtual retirement. The pastorate of the 1883. remaining nine averaged only about six years each. The period covered by the incumbency of the Rev. William Hodgson was the most It seems incredible today to learn that the first propitious in the Church's history. Truly, like ten years' life of the Church was much Augustus, “he found it brick and left it qualified and soured by High Church / Low marble”. On his retirement in 1898, Church altercations, bringing the dramatic churchwarden Major Sattcrthwaite, who resignation of the inceptive Churchwarden served a total of thirty years, well declared - Major Clement Sattcrlhwaite of Springhill “He had known Mr. Hodgson under all (now Plaistow Green). But the arrival of the circumstances to be a truly kind and Christian Rev. William Hodgson (Vicar 1873 - 1898) gentleman". Exhausted by his efforts, he died “mixing easily with all types” came as a four years later. timely balm to a bewildered parish. In regard to the Rev. William Gowans (1903 - 1937), the author of St Mary’s Church 80th Anniversary booklet, albeit the son of William s it Hodgson, accounted for the ministry of this splendid shepherd of the parish in two sentences: “The Rev. William Gowans M.A., came to St. Mary's at the age 44 in 1908, and his stay as Vicar was to last for 29 years. Looking back over that period, it will probably be regarded as comparatively uneventful as regards the history of the Parish.”

William Gowans was a bluff Yorkshireman of imposing, even fearsome mien. The fact is that he exercised his ministry during one of the most difficult periods in the history of the church in our country. He had to compete with the reactionary' razzle-dazzle and high life of the 1920s, then the National Depression. He underwent that most enervating of experiences open to man: he saw his domain Rev. William Hodgson - Vicar 1873-1898 steadily dwindle in stature. When he arrived

6 Bromleage December 1999

the Church and the Institute were at the height ways not unlike that of William Gowans, of their days with the brilliant musician Lewis though infinitely less disheartening. Church Thomas as choirmaster. He commanded two attendance having been very high in the curates in those pre-war years. For his final 1950s, was beginning to dwindle in the seven he had none at all amidst the terrible 1960’s. Henwood's twenty-five years decline in church attendance. Church finances coincided with a disturbing period, when the too were in a parlous state, and every nation was becoming increasingly addicted to contingency called for a hastily promoted material affairs, and in moral decline, and thus appeal for offerings. Like Hodgson, he was less spiritually directed. The introduction of musical and could play the organ, even Family Communion, and with it the Nave composing his own musical score for Altar Table, did not halt the fall in numbers. “Christians Awake”, which was dc rigueur on Yet Henwood maintained the rhythm of Parish Christmas morn. He endured profound activities. The Parish (away) Weekends were disappointment not a little wistfully but with a reassuring success. Hcnwood was stoicism. His closing declaration, on approachable and kindly, though he could retirement, was ‘The news that will give me appear awesome to some. Though the greatest joy will be to hear that the church unremarkable at the pulpit, he had a dominant is packed again as it used to be.” At his St. personality, and it was a surprise and a Mary's Memorial Service in 1941, the Rural disappointment to his flock that he never Dean, Canon Ilassard-Short, deftly drew received preferment. Yet he won the twin attention to his finest qualities - “To me the consolation prizes of being the only St. Mary’s chief memory is that of a delightful humorous vicar to be designated honorary Canon of Yorkshireman. 1 never met him unless he had Rochester Cathedral while in office and the a quip, a joke or a wisecrack. His amazing first to be appointed Rural Dean of Bromley. perpetual cheerfulness was one of die He retired to the coast at the age of 65, still outstanding features of his life. looking as young as when he came.

These three prelates have been the undisputed giants of St. Mary’s heritage up to the Millennium. It is inevitable that space precludes mention of the scores of pastors, officials and laymen who have given loving, devoted and generous service over many years. Yet it would be unworthy not to mention the name of Cyril Belsham, who has given nearly fifty years dedicated service to the Church. As a cheerful proponent of the Christian faith, licensed as a Lay Reader in 1974, lie has been a splendid example to the parishioners and invaluable help to successive clergy, not least in the realm of continuity. His publication “Practically a Christian” is solid proof of his scholarship, and his perpetual youth a tribute to his temperance.

Under the Priest-in-Charge, the Rev. Simon Burton-Jones, and the Curate, the Rev. Simon Young, neither over-burdened with age, St. Mary’s Church addresses the Millennium with Rev William Gowans - Vicar 1908-1937 Optimism. Geoffrey L. Eanie.i October 1999 The tenure of the Rev. Canon Peter Hcnwood (1971 - 1997), a most devout man, is within BEST WISHES recent memory and not yet in historical FOR THE LAST CHRISTMAS OF THE J perspective. His experience was in many 2 0 th C e n t u r y

7 Bromlcagc December 1999

Bromley Parish Church

Most people who live in Bromley will know dream. The sum of £25,000 would be needed that the ancient Parish Church was destroyed to realise it. The great effort was begun in an air raid in 1941. The tower remained without delay. On Sunday 15th January 1956 standing, although damaged, as a symbol of the Bishop of Rochester launched the faith above the ruins: faith which was Rebuilding Fund at morning service This demonstrated by the immediate determination appeal immediately raised £12,000 in gifts and to rebuild. promises. Nearly half wayl “To God the Glory, great things hath he done” rejoiced When the first church was erected on this site vicar Murray Walton: now to begin the long nobody knows. The dedication to St. Peter and steady haul to reach target by April the St. Paul is accepted as being very early, maybe following year, 16 years after the land-mine as early as the 7th century. A.D. 862 is the fell. Did anyone have any bright ideas? year in which there is the first record of Bromley. There could well have been a Saxon Bright ideas there were in plenty. Straight church then, as there surely must have been away the Mothers' Union began to make after Bromley came finally into the hands of marmalade at l/6d a jar: by April it was sold the monks of Rochester in 998 A.D. A out with a profit of £5. TTie Rebuilding Romanesque font in Bcthcrsden marble Committee made plans for a Garden Party, survived the bombing, seemingly from a whist drives, snowball tea parties, a car Norman building. Yet chancel, nave and aisle treasure hunt, music recital, and the collection were of 13th century Gothic architecture until of Queen Victoria and Edward V I1 pennies a very thorough rebuilding which was and half-pennies (then still valid). The treasure completed in 1830, and a new chancel added hunt, in June, enjoyed by 40-odd people, 30 years later. The tower is 15th century. So raised £7 10s.; the garden party £30 in July the church which was lost was an embodyment and recital, £25. Home-baked bread and black­ of Bromley's history and faith over many currant jam at l/9d both did well. Coins came generations. in steadily and by the end of the year added up to £17. After the bombing the congregation worshipped with St. John’s for a few months In October, with some trepidation, the contract and then were offered their Sunday School hall was signed for the shell of the building though by the High Street Methodists. This served as £10,000 was “still not in sight”. By November Bromley Parish Church until the end of the the appeal had topped £12,839 and another war. During these years was gathered together £1,000 had been collected in a box on the wall. the team that would see the rebuilding The Mothers' Union holiday snap competition completed. When the war ended in 1945 a brought in £6. A Christmas Sale made £680. borough-wide appeal was launched for funds By December, Bromley County School for for the “Eight Bombed Churches of Bromley”. Girls had raised £150 for the Fund, and was This brought in £10,000 of which the Parish about to perform “A Child is Born” in concert Church received a quarter. But although the with a silver collection, to furnish the Vestry architect's plans were ready, work could not in memory of Hazel Kissick, the sixth-former begin because of the need for housing. who was killed while fire-watching on the Eventually, in 1948, the work commenced, tower when the church was hit. funded by the War Damage Commission; and on the 13th October 1949, Princess Elizabeth In February 1957, a second Appeal was came to Bromley to lay the foundation stone launched, this lime by Lady Dorothy confident that, as she said, the energy and the Macmillan, wife of Bromley's MP, then Prime faith of those who rebuilt would earn their Minister. But £8,000 was still wanted - and reward in the eyes of men, as they would in fund-raising went on - at the same time as the God’s. usual life of the parish with Mothers' Union. Mens' Forum, Scouts and Guides; missionary Three years later, with Christmas bells ringing boxes and confirmation classes; and so on. In from the restored tower, vicar and people spite of all these efforts, disappointingly the entered into their new home, which one day target was not reached by April. would be the nave alone of the new church. Transcepts and chancel were still a distant

8 Bromlcagc December 1999

BROMLEY MUSEUM BROMLEY PARISH MAGAZINE at the Priory, Orpington

As we all reflect on the Millennium and our past, why not visit us at Bromley Museum? We can offer history that's older than 2,000 years as well as more recent material. We're looking forward to your society visit in May when well be looking at the 700 years of history at The Priory, the Borough's oldest public building. We are also very pleased to lie staging your own exhibition “In & Around Bromley A Century Ago” in April. Other highlights of next year's exhibition programme included a display on Dinosaurs at the beginning of the year as well as displays by Orpington & District Archaeological Society JANUARY, 1057 P R IO R O ’ and St. Mary Cray Action Group.

Wc are looking forward to reading this copy of Then in July, at a meeting in the as yet Bromlcagc with its focus on the Borough's incomplete church, vicar and people pledged churches as we arc holding our own exhibition themselves anew to finish the work they had on this theme in May as part of Museums & begun: £5,654 had now been collected by the Galleries Month. We will be taking a pictorial congregation and a “utility church” was look at Bromley's churches using paintings possible for the total available ... the Parish and drawings from our reserve collections. Council voted unanimously to proceed. Frills Obviously we do not have pictures of every could come later. Building did indeed go church in the Borough so if your local church ahead. In September that year the wall has any old pictures we'd love to borrow them between nave and new chancel came down for the exhibition. and everyone could admire the vista through the whole length of the building. The Collecting at the Museum continues with consecration of the new church (however important acquisitions this year including the “utility”) could now be arranged. Military Medal awarded to Sergeant Elizabeth Mortimer, posted at during World On 14th December, on a wintry afternoon, the War 11, and a piece of the last V2 to fall on Bishop in procession approached the north Britain, which fell between Kynaston and door to knock for entrance with his pastoral Court Roads, Orpington killing Mrs. Ivy staff. There was then a lesson and a prayer in Millichamp. each new part of the church, the carving of the consecration cross on the wall, and a sermon We continue to collect objects relating to the in which the Bishop called for a renewal in Bromley of the light of faith and love. Borough including recent material so that in the future the Museum will be able to portray Throughout the last 1616 years faith and love life at the beginning of this next millennium. had most surely been demonstrated by the Do you know of anyone who is producing any people of Bromley Parish Church, now made local commemorative tea towels, mugs etc? tangible by the walls and roof around them. As Do let us know. to the future, the vicar's New Year letter gave as usual the motto for the year to come: “who Melanie Parker & Alan Tyler then is willing to consecrate his service this day unto the lord?” (1 Chronicles, 29 v.5). How could there be any resting on their oars? t,...... /**' We wish you a Kerry Christies ’** Sources: Bromley Parish Church Magazine 1955-58 History of Bromley. E. L. S. Hasted 1929 $n>

9 Bromlcagc December 1999

ST JOSEPH’S CHURCH, BROMLEY churches. He gave part of the money to build a church at . In December 1884, four Catholic sisters of the Order of the ‘Religious of the Holy Trinity’ In 1972 St Swithuns was refurbished. New arrived in from a Convent in Valence, wooden panels were put on the walls. A France. According to a booklet about the circular staircase was built to the choir loft and history of the convent, they left France an organ installed there. New oak pews were because anti-clerical laws prevented them bought and the floor carpeted. from teaching or nursing in France. It is a small but very friendly church. Our The four nuns met Bishop Butt, Bishop of parish priest Father Mercer joined us in Southwark, and the Rl. Rev. Monsignor January 1999. He is a Friar belonging to the Goddard who was parish priest of St. Mary’s Friars of Atonement, an American Order. RC church, Chislchurst. The Bishop suggested SP they buy a house in Bromley and start a school. The nearest Catholic church at that time was at Chislchurst. The nuns bought ‘Willow Bank', 8 London Road. They then A Happy Christmas returned to France.

In December 1886, they came back to CHURCHES TOGETHER IN Bromley and on 25,h December 1886 the first ORPINGTON Mass was said in the Convent Chapel. This had once been the sitting room of ‘Willow The millennium celebrates two thousand years Bank.’ In January 1887, the sisters started a since the birth of Jesus Christ and the small school for 3 pupils. foundation of the Christian Church. With this focus in mind and as part of their celebratory In 1888, they bought ‘Freelands’ in Plaistow events in Orpington, the vast majority of the Lane. A temporary iron church was built in the local churches have joined together under the grounds and dedicated to St Joseph. Father J. banner of “Churches Together” to establish an O’Meara was appointed parish priest. The first information centre in shop premises on Mass was on March 13lh 1892. Orpington High Street, from where the good news of the gospel will again be brought to the Father O’Meara left in 1897 and Father Ford people. came until his death in 1908. God originally sent His son Jesus to meet His Father Cooksey was the next parish priest. people in their everyday surroundings, talk During his time, the Foundation stone for the with them and discuss their faith. In the same permanent church was laid by Archbishop manner, the Churches are taking the Amigo. The first Mass in the new church was opportunity to invite the community of on the I3lh December 1912, when the church Orpington to drop in during their shopping or was opened by Archbishop Amigo. work in the High Street to meet members of all the Churches at the turn of the millennium The church still has the original oak statues. and lo collect information or simply chat The present priest is Father Pearson. In 1992, informally. The centre will also have available St Joseph’s celebrated its centenary. for sale a range of Christian books supplied by the Rainbow bookshop of and There is also the branch church of St. cards and gift from the charity Traidcraft. Swithuns in Fasoda Road, Bromley Common. The centre will be open daily (Monday to This small Roman Catholic church is tucked Saturday) from 9.30 am to 4.30 pm from mid- away behind Champions, Southlands Road. It November until Christmas at 280 High Street was built in 1910. A lady left a legacy to Orpington. Archbishop Amigo for the building of Martin Jones

10 lliout!cage Dcocmlicr I9W

PENCE CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH

PCC stands at the Beckenham end of Penge far cry from the enormous gallcried High Street. The present building, of brick nonconformist chapels of the same era. construction faced with Kentish ragstone, replaced, in 1912, a tin hut bought by The organ is considered to be one of the finest members of the Independent Guild in in the district and the coffered ceiling above 1908. They were a breakaway group from the communion table is divided into six Ancrlcy Congregational Church which stood painted panels, each depicting an angel with a in Anerley Road opposite and was musical instrument. Above and following the bombed during the 2nd World War. PCC has contour of the apse is the Latin inscription now been Grade 2 listed by English Heritage. ‘Sanctus, Sanctus, Sanctus’ etc. The coloured The Kenilworth Hall was opened first in 1912, windows depict Christ in majesty and SS Peter the “tin ’all” dismantled and sold to a church and Paul. in Middlesex. It was still in use as a Sikh temple in 1983. All the money for the new Above all is the blue vault of heaven studded church was raised by members, largely with approximately 170 stars. One of the through bazaars held at the Manor House transepts was transformed into a Chapel of opposite where Royston School now stands, Youth in 1933 but the original symbolic and at the Crystal Palace. In 1921, the Church paintings of the Human Awakening and Duty's Hall and Memorial Room were added and call painted by Reginald Lewis in Frank more recently, in 1998, the Minister’s vestry Salisbury's studio have recently been removed was sacrificed for a new kitchen. The original and the chapel redecorated. kitchen in the basement is a memorial to late Victorian life “below stairs”. Hie first minister, Ernest Barson, served for 38 years until 1947 and there have been six The heavy wrought iron gates guarding each ministers since. Rev. John Taylor joining us entrance, each surmounted by a wrought iron from Newport, Isle of Wight in 1998. lantern arc typical of Georgian and Victorian Congregational churches are independent and times but rarely seen nowadays. autonomous, the final authority being the church meeting guided by the Holy Spirit. Inside the church, the style of architecture is an adaptation of gothic principles, conforming Links with the local community have always to the medieval plan with nave, transepts and been important through schools and Penge apse-ended chancel, with oak choir stalls Forum and the premises are used extensively facing each other as in an Anglican church - a by local organisations. Edna East

It Bromlcage December 1999

CHRISTIAN CHURCHES IN WEST WICKHAM

West Wickham is credited with ‘a church’ in Since then St. John’s church has passed the Domesday Survey. It would have been through and survived several restorations and built (or converted from a pagan temple) in additions, much social upheaval including the Christian Saxon times. Nothing remains of Civil War, the trauma of changing allegiance that church, the exact location of which is not from Rome to the English monarchy, and known, but in the absence of any evidence to more recently, the Second World War in the contrary; the assumption is that it was on which the church was damaged. the site that St. John the Baptist Church now occupies in Layhams Road. Up to the late 19th century, St. John’s was the only church in West Wickham. It did open a The early church is listed in the Textus chapel-of-ease in the High Street in 1878 to Roffensis, dated 1115 (which is copied from serve the growing population, which by now an earlier one made before the Norman had reached over 900. Conquest) in which there is recorded an entry of 9d. paid at Easter by West Wickham’s church to the Mother Church at Rochester for the chrism oil used in baptisms. Nothing more is known about the church until 1274 when Peter de Huntingfield acquired the manor of West Wickham and with it the gift of the living. He was succeeded by his son Walter, who in 1318 obtained a charter for a weekly market and an annual fair on 22 July, the patronal day of St. Mary Magdalene. It was customary for these fairs to be held on the patronal festival of the parish, so it could be that West Wickham’s church was dedicated at St John the Baptist Church 1809 this time to St. Mary. The first steps to challenge St. John’s The first rector recorded is Nicholas Louseby - supremacy came when the Rcvd. Lovell of in 1293 - probably the church had been rebuilt Bromley Congregational Church expressed the by then. The church was rebuilt again in 1490 opinion in 1885 that West Wickham was but there are still relics of the earlier church to living in spiritual darkness. Someone took the be seen. The very worn tiles rclaid in front of words to heart and made a donation to enable a the main altar are considered to be of the 14th colporteur to work in West Wickham. He was century. The piscina in the chapel is 13th a Mr. Hardiman who worked very hard, going century, an indication of the presence of a from door to door selling tracts and other previous altar there. Also in the chapel is an literature, and holding services in his little (almost) unrecognisable tombstone of Walter cottage in Kent Road. It was not all plain de Huntingfield. sailing and life was made very difficult for those who attended the Cottage Services, but The man responsible for the 1490 rebuild was the seeds had been sown. Despite fierce Henry Heydon, a lawyer from Norfolk, who opposition a small piece of land in North Road purchased the manor house and with it the was purchased by Mr. Ford Duncanson, a church. Henry Heydon installed the painted member of the Bromley Congregational glass in the chapel - the work of Anglo- Church. Eventually a small chapel was Flemish artists. They depict saints whose opened on the site by the Revd. C. H. names were bestowed on his children - Anne, Spurgeon in 1888. Dorothy, Catherine and Christopher. Henry himself is depicted as a skeleton in the east The Bromley Record reported the occasion - window of the chapel. A rood screen was “... At the after meeting the Revd. C. H. Lovell erected at this time, as was the font. did well to counsel his friends to be exceedingly wary in being drawn into controversy .... although Non-Conformists

12 Bromleage December 1999 have no reason to be grateful for their treatment at West Wickham, yet their acquiescence to Mr. Lovell's wishes and Methodist Church opened in 1931 some counsels, will, in the long run, be of service Methodists of the Gospel Mission transferred and utility to them." there. Other Methodists who lived in West Wickham were making their own plans. In Somehow the little chapel survived. One of its 1933 a Society was formed and the first earliest ministers was Ebenezer Evans who devotional service was held in a house in wrote in 1900 - "When one considers the Station Road, services thereafter being Held in smallness of the village population and the the Justin Hall. In 1934 a foundation stone strong antagonistic influence of the dominant was laid in Hawes Lane where a Methodist church, the wonder is that so large a Church was opened a year later. proportion of the poor people attend our various services and meetings. We have every The Roman Catholics were on the march too. reason to thank God and take courage." In 1936, the Grst Mass in West Wickham since the Reformation was said in the Justin Hall. Then in the 1920s, West Wickham began to The Roman Catholics moved to a temporary change. In 1922 two large houses were sold church (St. Mark’s) in Braemar Gardens in and their estates marked out for 1938. redevelopment. Others followed and the population began to rise steeply. By 1931 the So now there were Anglicans, population had reached 6,229. It became Congrcgationalists, Baptists, Methodists and obvious that new parishes would have to be Roman Catholics. But there were to be more formed, although this new intake, while Baptists. The Beckenham Times reported in professing Christianity, were not all April 1936 - "At the church Anglicans. The pressure on the little chapel appears to have done nothing to cater for the grew, but there was not now the hostility new population but it is rumoured that the between the Anglicans and the Free Churches. Baptists are coming!” This was because the Indeed, when Sir Henry Denny was appointed London Baptist Association had purchased a rector at St. John's in 1925, the chapel plot of land in Coney Hill Road after the Elm superintendent, Mrs. Ellery, attended his Road Baptist Church in Beckenham had begun service of induction. lie returned the Sunday School work in Coney Hall. Various compliment by inviting the chapel members to premises were used for church meetings until a an AT HOME he held for his own church cum hall was opened in 1938. Coney congregation. It was reported in the local Hill Baptist Church was constituted a paper along the lines of ‘Church of England fellowship in 1940. meets Non-Conformists!’ The Anglicans had not been idle during this The chapel was closed following the opening time. The parish of St. Francis of Assisi was in 1929 of Emmanuel Congregational Church inaugurated in 1933 and the little chapcl-of- in The Grove. The Revd. Barry was its first ease, hitherto known as St. Augustine's, was minister and at his service of induction Sir re-dedicated to St. Francis and utilised until a Henry Denny read the lesson. new church was opened in Ravenswood Avenue in 1936. Emmanuel encompassed all Free Church traditions but there were some in its On the Langley Park side of West Wickham, congregation who were not happy with the the parish of St. Mary of Nazareth was created form of worship at Emmanuel and who wanted in 1934, made up of parts of three a simple form of worship and gospel neighbouring parishes. A dual purpose church preaching. This group, mostly Baptist and hall was opened in The Avenue. Methodists broke away from Emmanuel and constituted itself as an Evangelical Free The ending of the Second World War saw the Church known as the West Wickham Gospel repairing of bomb-damaged churches after Mission. This group met in the Lecture Hall which there was another burst of activity - for a while until it opened a church in Surrey extending, improving and building: - Road. In 1935 it was constituted as West Wickham Baptist Church. When Shirley

13 Bromlcage December 1999

Christian Churches in West Wickham continued 1951: The Griffith-Jones Hall and the large LOCAL STUDIES CORNER hall, (now known as the Richmond Hall) opened in Emmanuel. The library has recently acquired 15 volumes of scrapbooks relating to the career of Sir 1954: St. Mary's Church built on to the Edward Campbell, MP for Bromley from 1930 church hall, with a vestibule in between with to 1945. Covering the years 1902 to 1942, folding doors, enabling all three pans to be they include letters, souvenirs of official visits merged for special occasions. he made in his capacity as PPS to Sir Kingsley 1956: Emmanuel Church extended. New Wood, a minister in the government of the late vestibule and new front entrance to the church 1930’s and insights into his private and from The Grove. political life. Many relate specifically to the 1960: A new Methodist Church built beside local area. They contain many unique items the original church. and are a valuable addition to our collection. 1960: West Wickham & Shirley Baptist If anyone would be interested in indexing Church opened in Monks Orchard Road. them for us we would be glad to hear from 1961: New vestries built on the north side of them. We hope to show them at our next open St. John’s. evening on Tuesday 1st February 2000 “New 1962: At St. Mary's a chapel dedicated to the to view”. Annunciation, and vestries, both built over the vestibule, opened. Society member David Johnson's new pictorial 1963: A new St. Mark’s Roman Catholic survey of Bromley in the 20th century has just Church opened in the High Street. been published by Sutton Publishing. It is 1970: A Link Building between the two available exclusively from branches of W H Methodist Churches opened. Smith. Most of the photos come from the 1973: Coney-Hill Baptist Church opened as library's vast archive of illustrations which an extension to the church hall. now contains more than 15,000 images and is 1973: North aisle added to St. Francis Church. being added to all the time. If you are interested in local photographs both old and Two Christian Fellowships were established: - modern it is well worth coming to have a the West Wickham Christian Fellowship and browse. Until now the slides have been poorly the Glorious Gospel Christian Fellowship. organised and difficult to find but we now The former was so successful, outgrowing its have a new storage cabinet incorporating a premises in Ilawcs Lane, that it moved to light table. The collection is being transferred Bromley where it is known as Bromley Town into it. When the move is completed we will Christian Fellowship. The Glorious Gospel be able to find them much faster. Fellowship meets in Wickham Hall. Simon Finch There are to be changes to the administration of the Anglican Churches in West Wickham in WANTED! 2000 when St. Francis and St. Mary's parishes will become a United Benefice. At that time MEMORIES OF OPEN-AIR SCHOOLS all three Anglican churches will become a FOR A FUTURE BOOK Group Ministry and it is expected that the priest-in-charge at St. John’s will become If you were a pupil at any open-air school or Rector of the Group. worked there as a member of staff, Frances Wilmot would be pleased to have any information or your memories! There were once over 155 open-air When the Congregational Chapel opened in schools in Britain, which were an important pan of 18S8 there were serious divisions between the the special schools system and a lifeline to Anglicans and the Free Churches. Just 51 ‘delicate’ children for over 50 years. There is no years later, in 1939, the West Wickham book surveying all these schools so you can be part Council of Christian Churches was formed. of educational history! That Council, now known as Churches Together in West Wickham, is representative For further details contact: Mrs Frances Wilmot, 41 of all Christian Churches in West Wickham. Helmsdale Rd, Lillington, Leamington Spa, Warwickshire, CV32 7DN Deo Gratias. Joyce Walker

14 Bromleago December 1999

HISTORY OF ST. GILES THE ABBOT CHURCH and the Parish of Farnborough.

In an Anglo-Saxon Charter of AD 862, Our Lord, 1538. In 1552, the Churchwardens, Ethelbert, King of Wessex gave to his John Lambe & John Marshall, ‘of the parishe minister, Dryhtwald, ten hides of land, about Church of Farneborowe’ showed to the King’s 1200 acres, in Feam Biorg. inspectors, one Communion Cup, a Brass Cross, two Copes, two altar frontals, a large The ‘The Domesday Monachorum ’ is an Bible and a book of Erasmus. They also ancient book in the archives of Canterbury showed them three bells in the steeple. The Cathedral. It was compiled on the orders of inspectors gave them a clean sheet, certified Archbishop Lanfranc when he came into that they had no ‘Popish* items in their charge office in 1070. This book contains a list of and that they had not illegally disposed of any churches which paid a ‘Chrisom Fee' to their of the church's property. The local Rural diocesan bishop for the ‘consecrated oil’ he Dean carries on this type of survey annually to supplied for use during Christenings, which this day. had to take place in the church of the parish in which one was bora. Even today you need THE CHURCH your parish priests permission to be baptised elsewhere and the size of the fee reflected the THE CHANCEL. There is no way of value of the parish. Parishes with a resident knowing if St. Giles Norman church possessed priest were listed as Churches and those a chancel, but at some time after c 1200 one without a priest, listed as Chapels to the parish was constructed to the east of the nave. It was where the priest resided. 'Faemberga* paid in the Early English style of architecture, 6d as ‘Chrisome fee‘ as a Chapel to Chclsficld. which was the first of the gothic styles Research has shown that the list in the prevalent during the 13th Century, being Doomsday Monachonim is a Saxon list, typified by tall thin windows known as hurriedly found and copied out to meet the lancets. This first chancel was to survive instructions of the Archbishop. (Many almost intact until its restoration in 1886. churches known to have existed in 1070 are missing). Faraborough Church existed before In 1885, Mr Fox a member of a local brewing 1070, perhaps as a wooden structure (like family offered the church a new organ with the Greenstead Ongcr, in Essex), which had either proviso that the congregation provided a fallen down or was considered of no value suitable chamber to house it. The offer was when the Domesday Survey was made in taken up promptly, and by 1886 the Architect 1085. It is recorded in Bishop Courteneye’s Joseph Clarke, undertook the work. By the register of 1385 that John de Dountone was time work commenced, the brief had been Rector of Farnborough only, an occurrence extended to include the restoration of the which did not happen again until John chancel, a project that produced the Eastern Montague was ‘put in [ns Rector of arrangement that exists today. The original Farnborough] by parliament’ during the ‘arched’ entrance from the nave into the north Commonwealth period in 1650. aisle was removed and replaced with a cast iron beam. In addition, the chancel was 1538 saw the introduction of the Parish almost totally dismantled, including the Register and each Parish had to provide ‘One removal of wall buttresses. To complete the Book’ into which all the Baptisms, Marriages rebuilding of the chancel, a new floor was and Burials that took place in the Parish were constructed of plain and decorative acoustic to be entered. The top of the first page of the tiles and during this work it was said that a Farnborough Register reads: ‘Matrimonia bottle was found, containing documents Baptismata et Septurae in Farnbro Tempore relating to the church’s restoration after the Regis Henrici 80 incoat 30 A0 ejus Regni et storm in 1639. Tire chancel fittings are all Ao Dm. 1538’. The second line states that it modern, dating from the first half of the 20th was the 80th order issued in the 30th year of Century. The original Victorian stalls were the reign of King Henry the VIII in the year of removed around 1935, and used in the new

15 Bromleage December 1999

History ol St Giles tho Abbot continued parish church of St Marys, . constructed of flint with projecting comer The rector’s stall was provided as a memorial buttresses, and possessed a steeple probably to Major General Sir Richard Ewart, who died covered in oak shingles. In 1724, the tower in 1928, and to his son, Lieut. Richard Ewart and spire were damaged during a storm and aged 26, killed in France in 1918. The choir were re-slatcd in 1728 and were still in stalls and altar rail were given in 1935 as a existence in 1790 when the artist H. Petrie memorial to Marion Manning. FSA drew the church. However, in 1838. luck was to run out for the tower, when it was THE NAVE of the church is the oldest struck by lightning and severely damaged, surviving structure and probably dates from requiring it to be extensively rebuilt, with the the first half of the 12th Century (between addition of the clergy vestry constructed AD 1100 - 1150). There are no definite against the south wall, that same year. The architectural features that can establish this 1838 rebuilding seems not to have been a total date for certain. However the wall between the success, for the tower was to suffer continuing Tower and nave is 3’ 6” thick which is a problems for the next hundred years. characteristic of Norman work. Adjoining the According to the Churchwardens record book, North elevation is a lean-to structure known by 1853 the lead flat roof on the tower was locally as the North Aisle, which is later than leaking, and the tower and vestry suffered the body of the nave. This extension to the from dry rot all through the 1850s and 1860s church dates from the 14th Century and retains and in the 1890s the tower was repaired a finely carved two light window in the externally. It was to suffer one further disaster decorated style of architecture. Internally the in January 1949, when it was almost gutted by upper parts of the jambs are constructed of fire. It remained unrepaired until 1951 when chalk blocks, material used on occasions in the Miss Cunningham, the Church Architect of the medieval period. The exterior of this wall day, restored it to its present state. The tower shows fragments of the original rendering. In that is seen today, is ostensibly that rebuilt by medieval times many churches were externally Blackshaw in 1838, with one major alteration, rendered to hide the irregular flint work and to that of replacing the flat roof and parapet with give a more uniform appearance. the pyramidal roof clud in plain tiles.

THE ROOF of the nave is the most interesting Internally, little predates the fire of 1949. On architectural feature of the church. This entering the church through the West doors, complex structure has had a chequered past there is a set of partly glazed oak panelled and has been rebuilt or repaired extensively doors installed to commemorate the Silver over the past 400 years. On the night of the Jubilee of George V in 1936. Also within the 12th of December 1639, the church was struck ground floor of the tower is the parish's by a violent storm that caused extensive Second World War memorial to the left of the damage to the roof and possibly the East End inner doors. The first floor allows access to of the chancel. The church seems to have the Gallery in the Nave, and the belfiry above. remained in a derelict state until 1641, when The church originally possessed a number of according to the Michaelmas Quarter Sessions bells; one of which was known as the Tinker of Charles 1, the church was repaired at a cost Bell, but today the church possesses only a of £500. The nave roof as seen today, is the single bell. Also set within the belfry is the one rebuilt in 1641, but it underwent further church clock. A previous Rector, Revd Aidan repair and strengthening in 1937, when Chapman, acquired this in the 1950’s from the additional struts, braces and iron straps were stable block of The Rookery, a large house installed. that once stood on the site of Bromley College of Technology. The clock was constructed in THE WESTERN TOWER is a somewhat about 1870 by the makers Barnard and Lund battered structure; the date of original and is of the semi-Qal bed form. It strikes the construction can not be determined with hour on the bell, which was cast in 1766 by accuracy, but is almost certainly medieval in John Hodson of London. origin. The original tower, as seen in a drawing dated 1701, was not dissimilar to the FIXTURES AND FITTINGS. The gallery at present tower at Chclsficld Church and was the Western end of the church was built in the

16 Bromleago December 1999

17th Century and had an upper companion gallery for the church musicians, which tjlaunda&out wiM £uc Jrutum remained in place until 1846, the position now occupied by the Organ Pipes moved there in my retirement as Chairman of the Society, I have 1960. There are several monuments to past been told by numerous members how much they used to parishioners on the walls of the church and the look forward to reading my Chairman’s newsletter in following are of special note. At the East End ‘Bromlcage’. Why they ask. don’t I take up my pen, or shouldn't it be keyboard, again and give members the of the South wall of the chancel, over the benefit of a regular report on iny activities and Victorian cedilla, is the monument to Thomas researches. So here I come with report number 1. Brome who died in 1673. This is a large architectural tablet surmounted by a pediment Two things much concern me; one is the lack of and crest. Jasper Latham, one of Sir resources available for the Local Studies Library and the other the failure to exploit our history for the benefit of Christopher Wren’s principal masons working the economy of the area. If the Borough of Bromley was on St. Pails Cathedral, sculptured it. At the situated in the country, with its motorway link, airport West end, is the tablet to Doctor Thomas and connection with a galaxy of renowned historical Young, 1829, who was responsible for personalities, Blyton. Crappcr. Crompton, Darwin. Grace and Wolseley to name but a few, our High Streets would unravelling the mysteries of the Egyptian be teeming with visitors. It is true that die Local Studies Hieroglyphics. He is buried in the chancel in Library is open six days a week which compares very the family vault of the Maxwell family, into favourably with many of the other London borouglis. It which he married. On the South wall of the does not however have the staff and finance to take nave next to the gallery, is the painted board advantage of the goldmine of information in its possession. With die annual spectre of budget ails, what commemorating the Benefaction of George hope is there of benefiting from the developments in Dalton to the parish in 1566. Today, the information technology? To take just one example most “Rush Sermon” is still preached on the of the newspapers ate on microfilm, and unless you have appropriate day, the floor of the nave being a specific date to home in on, arc a nightmare to trawl through. How marvellous it would be if they were fully strewn with cut flags (wild Iris) leaves and indexed and their contents could be conjured up in a other herbs. Almost opposite on the North form one could easily read. wall of the nave, is the large Epstyne like bronze, a memorial to Mrs. Kelly, wife of a My personal efforts have of necessity been concentrated former Rector, by Elsie March, a member of on researching and speaking on the history of Beckenham, Chislchurst Caves and Beckenham Place the local artist family, who made the bronze and Kelsey Parks. The more you look into the history of figures for Bromley Memorial and the diesc places the more you realise how much remains Canadian National War Memorial in Ottawa. unknown. Does anyone know anything about the history of the firm of Robert Lowe and Sons who. I believe, built the Lower Camden shops and whose daughter was THE FONT is the finest surviving internal married to a key figure in the saga of the Romans. feature of the church and dates from the latter Saxons and Druids at the ? Has half of the 14,h Century. The octagonal bowl, anyone any information on what plants Thomas Crappcr which has been badly cracked in time past, has exhibited at flower shows at the Crystal Palace? Can eight different geometric panels. Five made anyone tell me anything about Summer House Prisoner of War Camp No 233 which was situated in the grounds up of quatrefoils and abstract flower panels of Beckenham Place Park? Just a few of the problems and three panels, which chiefly contain what which are puzzling me at present, and on which I would appear to be, stylised human figures. The font welcome help. was originally lime washed and coloured, In 2002 we will be celebrating the centenary of the first traces of which remain. The stem on which manned air mail flight in Britain which took place the bowl stands is of the Victorian period. between Croydon Road Recreation Ground, Beckenham, and Calais to commemorate the coronation of King THE STAINED GLASS. The oldest stained Edward VII. The Philatelic Society has set up a sub glass is in the window in the North Aisle and committee to look into ways in which this nntahlc event can be celebrated and there are no prizes for guessing was made about 1860 to a design by William who has been put in the chair. This is not only a chance Morris. All the glass in the chancel is of the to use history to publicise the borough, it is also an first quarter of this century, commemorating opportunity to mark the achievements of two unsung members of local families. 'Hie glass in the local individuals: Tom Thornton, for many years the Editor and owner of the local newspaper, and Dr Barton, rest of the church dates from the 1930s better known for his many exploits with balloons onwards, the most recent by the pulpit being airships than his career as a doctor. 1998.

17 Bromlcagc December 1999

THE PARISH OF St FRANCIS OF ASSISI, WEST WICKHAM IN THE 1930’s

Sunday School Recollections and a Pen Picture of the First Vicar

In the mid-1920s, West Wickham’s only or a burial not conducted in accordance with church buildings were the ancient Anglican the rites of the Church of England would have parish church of St John the Baptist (alongside been almost unthinkable. Wickham Court and some distance away from the village), an Anglican chapcl-of-ease On the basis “Don't do as 1 do, do as I say”, I dedicated to St Augustine in the High Street was taught hymns, and then, at about six or opposite the Wheatsheaf, and a small seven (i.c. in 1930 or 1931), I was sent to Congregational chapel in Sussex Road, Sunday School. opened by C H Spurgeon in 1888 and attended mainly by the poor. This was held at St Augustine’s, in the High Street. It had apparently been erected as an By 1939, the parish of St John’s had been Infant school and converted to a chapcl-of- carved up. The town centre was by then ease in 1878. It was cold and draughty and the served by the church of St Francis of Assisi in only interesting thing to me was the presence Ravcnswood Avenue (within a few yards of of large cast iron grilles set in the floor which the High Street); and the area north of the were suppo.sed to emit heat from hot water railway line by the church of St Mary of pipes beneath and which, on reflection, must Nazareth. St John’s, thereafter, was attended have formed a vast dust-pan. It would shortly mainly by people from the Coney Hall area, be superseded by the new church of St Francis and by the ‘old’ villagers whose long walk to of Assisi. “the church on the hill” had always been a part of their lives and who may well have seen the perpetuation of the tradition as a part of their protest at the destructive suburbanisation of their once-attractive village.

But the old Parish Church was so remote that in 1930 evening services were terminated for the winter because the parishioners were no longer prepared to use lanterns and torches to find their way there1.

A demand had grown, too, for nonconformist places of worship. The Congregationalists had created a large and very lively church, Emmanuel, in The Grove (opened by the Lord Mayor of London in 1929). The Baptists later Very soon after 1 commenced Sunday School, occupied a small site in Surrey Road and then the meetings were transferred to the new also erected a church hall at Coney Hall (in Lecture Hall in Sussex Road, opened in the 1938). The Methodists opened a large church autumn of 1934 \ Soon, about sixty to ninety in Hawes Lane in 1935 2. children were attending. The hour comprised an initial hymn, some son of homily from the This massive amount of church building in person in charge, a period spent in one of five one decade is another reminder of the speed with which West Wickham had been or six classes, and a closing hymn. developed in the 1930’s. When we dispersed to our separate classes we My own family were what one might describe sat in a circle on hard wooden chairs - there as inert Anglicans. They were not, in my were no desks - and heard Bible readings or time, churchgoers yet a baptism or a marriage stories or had some kind of elementary discussion. 1 found the whole affair rather

* Ueckenhuin & Pcngc Advertiser [BPA] 23 Ocl 1930 pt2 2 Knowldcn. Patricij and Walker, Joyce. WEST WICKHAM:PAST INTO PRESENT. 1986 |KnowldcnJ. p206. J Knowldcn, p i89

18 Bromlcagc December 1999

boring but not sufficiently so, until I went to was bom in 1911 and was brought up in a grammar school, to question the need to go. damp, wooden house in The Alders that had no mains water. In due course the place was 1 recollect, particularly, two of the teachers: condemned and the family was allocated one Miss Amy McAndrew and Miss Rose Hobson. of West Wickham’s first Council houses in I didn’t realise it at the time, but they were Hawes Lane. I found her to be pleasant and an from quite different parts of the social interesting teacher. At the time I thought she spectrum. was rather lacking in humour, but I changed my mind completely sixty years on when 1 Amy McAndrew was the younger of two heard her on tape. She, her sister Blanche, spinster sisters who were both prominent in and her parents Charles (1873-1951) and local affairs (the other being Agnes). They Catherine (1872-1944) are all buried in the were two of four daughters of Robert same grave at St John’s. Rose is described on McAndrcw, a Liberal and Scottish shipowner the headstone, as "many years cleaner- of Wickham House - a Norman Shaw caretaker at St Francis of Assisi Parish reconstruction at the cast end of the High Church”. Street that was converted in due course, on the ground floor, to shops which still remain \ He 1 found Sunday School acceptable, but and his wife had given both time and money meaningless, rather boring and slightly generously since their arrival from Cheshire in confusing. I was not sufficiently put off to 1881, and their daughters followed in that seek to avoid attending (truancy would have tradition 5. been difficult as the premises were so close to home), but I didn’t really understand what it When the High Street had become noisy from was all about. Tliis was partly because some traffic, they had moved in 1925, to a more of the terminology was quite beyond me and I modest but still affluent house, standing in its was (and still am) impatient of theoretical own grounds, in Woodland Way (no. 44). philosophy. There also seemed to be an This was called Old Field and became, before excessive concentration on the need for ‘good’ World War II, the Oldfields Private Nursing behaviour, and I was at a loss to understand Home and then the nucleus of Kathleen Moore Court, a private maternity homeft. why money was constantly needed to send missionaries to force black people in Africa to As the Vicar of St Francis Church, the Rev W go to Sunday Schools like mine. A M Parker, said on one occasion in a sermon: “It is a wonderful thing that whenever the 1 was also ‘volunteered’ into the Crusaders lives of young people.... arc touched by the and the Band of Hope. So far as Crusaders Christian Church, it is generally by or through was concerned, the gatherings had so little one of the Misses McAndrew” (7). It was one impact that I have no idea who or what we or other of them that had cut the first sod on were crusading for or against. the site of his future church building in Ravenswood Avenue (8). As to the Band of Hope, the evils of drink was a somewhat arcane subject to a child of nine Amy McAndrcw was probably in her middle or ten whose family were extremely temperate to late sixties when she was my Sunday school in habit. I seem to remember that the meetings teacher. She was amiable and much respected were quite interesting and that Amy both by children and adults. Her sister was McAndrew was to the forefront, but how we older. In November 1935, they retired to filled our time I have no idea, except that I Hartfield, Sussex, where Agnes was killed won a prize in an essay competition for a three years later by an errand boy on his piece called PETER, THE ROCK. Doubtless bicycle while crossing the road at dusk (9). what I said was merely an organised regurgitation of what I had been told at In complete contrast Rose Hobson, by her own meetings. I feel I got the prize because I was admission in an interview taped when she was literate rather than because I was dedicated to 81 years of age, came from a poor family. She the cause of temperance. A long list of Band of Hope prizewinners, published in the BECKENHAM AND PENGE ADVERTISER ' KnowIden.ppl64.2l3 (photo of house) * Knowldco, P216; BPA 1 Aug 1935. p i in 1934, suggests that the rewards were * Knowldcn. pp212,214 (photo of house), 216; BPA I Aug 1935 p2

19 Bromleage December 1999

St. Francis of Assisi in the 1930s continued of the Rev R T Parker, then Rector of Hooke, “an old world village” near Beaminstcr, liberally distributed - probably paid for by the Dorset (18). He had an elder brother who was McAndrew sisters (10). also in the Church, being - in the 1930’s - Rector of Bradwell, Gorleston, near Great I recollect the Sunday School Christmas Yarmouth (19). parties in the Old Lecture Hall, and one particularly, when the Rector of St John’s, the WAM had been educated at St John’s School, Rev. Charles Alexander Shaw Page MC, upset Leatherhcad (an institution much attended by my mother because he sent us home after the sons of clergy) and had then studied for relating a really dramatic ghost story in a room about four years at Columbia University, New lit only by the light of the coal fires. She York, where he graduated BA (20). He had thought it most inappropriate just before we then travelled widely for about nine years, were due to go to bed and likely to give us visiting North and South America, Egypt and nightmares. It confirmed the family’s belief Sudan and various European countries. He that the Rector was mad. I think he was was ordained at Lichfield - and held simply lively, (the BECKENHAM AND chaplaincies in Switzerland and Belgium. He PENGE ADVERTISER used the word had also served as Curate at Hartshill, “genial"), excitable and somewhat lacking in Warwickshire (1925-27), St. Peter, tact (11). The ‘old’ villagers at that time had Wolverhampton (1927-29) and St Mary the an inbuilt prejudice anyway, against all Virgin, Dover (1929-33) (21). Rectors who followed the much-loved Bertie Roberts (1884-1924). At Dover he had been director of the occupational centre for the town’s Shaw Page managed, for instance, to provoke unemployed, and Secretary of Dover Borough his bellringers to strike for a month at the end Council’s Social Services Committee; and in of 1930, having forbidden them to “collect winter had run a series of Saturday evening their customary donations from rcsidcnts”(12). concerts for the unemployed (22). I A new team of bellringers was formed seven understand, too, that he had spent some time months later, so that must be seen as a battle in an Anglican friary; certainly, as he grew that he ultimately won (13). As he did too, older and plumper he tended, in his long black when he sacked the church organist, who had cassock, to look like a merry well-fed friar, a been in post for 53 years. During that half la ROBIN HOOD. century he had, apparently, always lived at Sydenham and had travelled to West Wickham He had arrived at West Wickham in July 1933. by pennyfarthing, then by bicycle and then by He immediately became very active and was, motor cycle until several accidents caused him for example, President of the Rotary Club only to transfer to the train. He claimed he had four years later (23). By Ehe end of 1935 the never been late for a single service and made new parish church was under construction and it clear that he was leaving under protest (14). he was inducted as the first Vicar (24). The However, six months later, when the new church was consecrated a year or so after that organist - a Mr Powell - became engaged to the Rector’s youngest daughter, Beatrice (25). Margaret, the BECKENHAM AND PENGE ADVERTISER commented: “since his As a lively and charismatic figure, and appointment last September the standard of because he expressed himself forthrightly, he music....has greatly improvcd”(15). was frequently mentioned in the local newspapers. For instance, he was against Shaw Page had been, in his own words, bazaars and the like as a means of fund­ raising; his constant search for money to finish “terribly wounded" in the First World War his new and lovely church relied on what he (16). He was good copy for the local paper described as “straightforward giving” (26). but was much more rarely photographed than his new colleague, at St Francis, the Rev W A But hints appear in the local press time and M Parker (17). time again of his upsetting people (27). In the summer of 1938, after he’d solicited money Mr Parker (known to this day, in my circle, as for a Vicarage to be built near the church, he "WAM”) had arrived in West Wickham to set wrote in his Parish Magazine: “The tenders up the new parish. He was the youngest son did not come in until the approach in the

20 Bromleage December 1999

avenue [i.e., Ravcnswood Avenue] had lost laxity which uses the war as an excuse to something of its beauty by the establishment cover many negligences. So much is being of a second-hand car market. I am not very given up in these days which need not be anxious to live on this site. It seems rather a given up”(32). In fact, generally, his services waste of good money to build an expensive were always extremely well-attended for they house in a district which seems to lack a were conducted with reverence, dignity and competent town planning authority or a panache; and, for instance, no Server was scheme for preserving the amenities or any allowed to perform at Communion until he attractiveness in a shopping street so near to could unfailingly extinguish the candles residenccs”(28). Six months later he moved without a wisp of smoke appearing. The big out of the temporary Vicarage in Springfield events, such as Confirmations and marriage Gardens and created a flat in the tower of the ceremonies were meticulously rehearsed, well- church (29). ordered and spiritually uplifting. For my own marriage in 1948, the bride and groom and He was always a slightly lonely figure; the Best Man had to attend a rehearsal which was local papers make it clear that many of his conducted with as much theatricality and summer holidays were spent motoring with Mr attention to detail as if it had been a wedding and Mrs John Collett - the former, a High of Royalty. Street chemist, being his churchwarden. The move into the tower increased his isolation. Despite all that has been said on the downside, WAM was an amiable, well-organised and Further, an clement of paranoia was perhaps determined man who set many a female heart creeping in. In his October 1938 Parish fluttering among the younger (and the not-so- Magazine (published halfway in time between young) parishioners and he was, for a time, his rejection of the Vicarage site and his engaged to a local spinster of some wealth installation in the tower) he condemned gossip (33). Why the engagement was broken off no- which, he claimed, had destroyed some of his one knew at the time, but it seems to have best-intentioned work. “Now some of my been done amicably as the lady was later most trusted friends", he wrote, “have been reported as having given a quantity of bulbs persuaded to turn against the church from for the church garden (34). which they have materially benefited a great deal.... It is a mystery to me how folk can be He continued living in his fiat in the tower, so easily influenced by those who set out in throughout the Blitz and also after the War. their minds to hurt and destroy”. He went on Then, sadly, in July 1955 he hanged himself in to describe the "rather un-Christian things said the belfry of his church, suspending himself in streets and on trains”, as a "heart-breaking through a trapdoor by means of a piece of and soul-destroying epidemic”. (30) sashcord attached to the flagpole on top of the tower. He returned to this theme again five months later, when he told his annual parochial This was a tragedy, for he had masterminded, meeting that he had enough evidence to put with great success, the creation of the new some of his parishioners “in prison for parish of St Francis and was most highly criminal slander”. He had, he said, received regarded as a caring and conscientious parish poison pen postcards and, when on holiday in priest. Unfortunately, despite a lifetime November, there had been rumours that he had dedicated to others, he had no one he could "packed up, and would not be seen again”. turn to in his time of dire need though he had discussed the ethics of suicide with his general Elsewhere, in the same speech, he said that the practitioner. Ecclesiastical Commissioners were “a soulless crowd of people” who had "no sympathy with Ron Cox a poor vicar in a new parish”. He had, he said, put building a church before a vicarage, but he All the remaining footnotes, 7-34, refer to the had not realised that he would be, for so long, Beckenham and Penge Advertiser or the Beckenham “landed with rent and rates". (31) Journal. Readers can obtain details of dates and pages from Dr Cox if he is sent a stamped, addressed envelope He expressed further disillusionment when he (Ilx 22cm or larger). His address is 69 Westfield Ave, attempted, unsuccessfully, to resume evening Sandcrstcad, South Croydon, CR2 9JZ services in the New Year of 1940, when it seemed that there would be no air raids after dark. "Perhaps", he wrote, “it is part of the A HAPPY H E * ? 1 P E 4 R

21 Bromleage December 1999

The Story of Christ Church, Beckenham

In 1873 in order to provide for the increasing population of Beckenham, a temporary iron church was erected in The Avenue known as "Christ Church, the Avenue”. This church building outgrew its capacity within one year and through the generosity of Cornelius Lea Wilson, a new church was erected on "The Fairfield” in 1876. The church is evangelical in its ministry, and has attracted the churchgoers who wished to have a Bible based worship ever since the Parish Church, St. George's, went high Dear Paul In the recent Bromleagc you under the influence of the Oxford movement of mention the idea of a special millennium edition of the 19th Century. In 1901 the church halls were Bromlcagc which gives the history of local churches built on land intended for a vicarage in Fairfield and you ask for any information about histories Road, and because of growth, a Jubilee Hall was which arc being written. added in 1926. The vicarage was built in It so happens that I have just finished writing the Courtdowns Road at what used to be number 1, history of Christ Church, Beckenham covering the for the vicar, Rev John Rooker who had six last 50 years and wc hope to produce this in the year children. Today the present vicarage is still in 2000 for sale. There are three earlier histories; two Courtdowns Road, but at the lower end opposite by Frank Clark covering the years 1873 to 1925 and the entrance to Kelsey Park. 1926 to 1950 and my first one covers the whole history up to 1975. In 1945 one of the last flying bombs of the Second World War demolished houses in I have had a look in the Diocesan Directory to see Fairfield Road and Lea Road and seriously what kind of numbers arc involved if you try to contact all the anglican churches in the Borough damaged the church, so that it became There arc a total of 34. Eleven are in Beckenham, impossible to use it. A new church was built on fourteen arc in Bromley and Chislehurst and nine are the same site and opened in 1950 using some of in Orpington. Each is in a Rural Deanery under a the foundations of the old one, which were still Rural Dean and the whole of the Bromley area is intact. under the Archdeacon of Bromley, Vcn. Garth Norman. It was said of the Christian Church by Jesus that "the gates of hell shall not prevail against it". It so happens that the Diocese of Rochester has asked Two thousand years later, Christ Church like the each church in the Diocese to send in to the Diocesan other churches in Beckenham maintains its Office in Rochester a picture of each church and its congregation as a record for the millennium and the witness to the Christian Gospel and the love history of the Diocese. We took ours in Christ which Jesus showed by his death and Church about four weeks ago. resurrection. Chris Porteous

Chris Portcous June 1909

22 Bromlcage December 1999

St George’s Church, Beckenham. The Millennium.

Si George's Church must have been one of the The Church is used regularly by the earliest examples of a Christian church and community and supported by contributors who there seems to have been one on this site since view the building as something special. It is 1070, although there does not seem to be any used for choral and other concerts. Music, Art documentary proof of this now. and Flower Festivals. Services are held in the building every day and there is an office and It has been rebuilt at least 4 times, and it is a the Narthex at the back of the church where magnificent building still standing at the meetings can be held. Millennium. It stands as a symbol of Christianity in a very secular world. In the The churchyard surrounding the church holds year 2000 we are much more aware of other many graves, although many of the religions. Other systems of faith use various tombstones are now missing. Copies of the styles of buildings for worship, and the old burial registers have been made so there is solid stone ancient churches are slowly falling evidence of the local people who have died into decay - but not yet St. George's still around us. Beckenham. We hope this one will remain. How much will last for the next 1000 years? Beckenham's Parish Church has had a Certainly St George’s should be here for at continuous line of Rectors since 1100, and least another 500 years D.V. (God willing). most of the parish registers exist from 1538, No doubt there will be more alterations as apart from those damaged during the 1939-45 each generation leaves its mark, but somehow War. Copies of most of them are in Bromley God, Nature, Religion, Faith, Angels, Good Local Studies Library at Bromley, many on Men - whatever you like to call the Power that microfilm. is there for the good of Mankind, will remain until the end of time, and leave some evidence The interior of the church is well preserved. for the next curious and intelligent people that The stained glass windows, the Lady Chapel, come along to see that they existed. What will the organ, the plate, vestments and ornaments they find in 3000? and the monumental inscriptions are well described in the ‘Historical Guide to St. Doris Pullen George's Parish Church’ compiled by Rachel Lendon Notley. Illustration by G. V.R. Pullen

23 Bromlcage December 1999

LETTERS TO THE EDITORS

Dear Paul and Denise Blackhcath. In the Victorian period the Chairmen of 1 picked up a recent copy of Bromleage and was Morden College were two successive members of the fascinated to see the article about monuments in Bromley Lubbock family - whose home, of course, was at High churchyard. I am enclosing a flyer for my book about the Kims just outside Famborough. It is quite clear that the Greenwich Dome site. I wondered if you would like a Lubbocks knew Coles Child and it is a matter of review copy, or if you would be interested in putting out speculation how much discussion about Greenwich must the flyer with a future issue. have gone on between them in Bromley.

The rest of this letter is a short piece about what interest Another Bromley resident 1 would like to know more Greenwich industry has for Bromley - some of which is about is Thomas Dent - or indeed any other member of covered in the book - and also in some articles in Bygone lire Dent family, of whom several lived in the area. They Kent, some of which have been published, and some not were based at Flass in Cumberland and had the second written yet! largest opium dealing business, in the City of London until they crashed just before 1870. In the archive at In Bromley churchyard one of the most prominent tombs Kendal, I have seen plans of a big house built at is of Coles Child, and Bromley Civic Centre today is Widmorc, which I have never been able to trace. I am housed in the old Archbishop’s Palace, latterly Coles sure that the Dents worked with both Coles Child and the Child's home. Coles Child was responsible for Lubbocks - and would love to know more about them. developing a section of the Greenwich Riverside, working with George Smith surveyor of the Blackheath The other Bromley resident who made r, large based charity, Morden College. The Coles Child estate contribution to is a William was described some years ago by Michael Kearney in an Johnson. Johnson was living in Bromley around 1800 issue of The Transactions of the Greenwich and when he contacted a soap manufacturer called George Antiquarian Society (1983 /4 val. IX No. 6 Russell who lived at near . He had a pps 299-313) but has been tire subject of a great deal of plan for a tide mill - a water mill worked by the tide research on my part more recently. rather than a stream. The mill was built at East Greenwich on the site, which is now under the Dome, Coles Child’s estate stretches roughly between Blackwall but where the Blackwall Point Power Station used to Lane, Trafalgar Road, Marlborough Street and the river. stand. After the mill was built Johnson seems to have It consists of an estate of small houses built in the 1840s moved to Heybridge in Essex - but his origins may be in and 1850s. Coles Child acted as builder and developer Bromley. for the houses, which were designed and inspected by- George Smith. They remained in the ownership of I think nil of this goes to show how close the links Morden College until only a few years ago and still carry between the two areas were even a hundred, or two the distinctive Tnvicta’ plaque. The puzzle about these hundred years ago. Today we accept that many people streets is that their names relate to the Durham coal who worked in the factories of Greenwich and mining industry. Banning Street, which runs parallel to commuted over from Bromley, Orpington and the river was once Chester Street (for Chester 1c Street). Chislchurst - but they seem to have been doing that for a Near this Durham town were two pit villages Pclton and great deal longer than the last few years. Waldridge. Pelton Road with the Pelton Arms is still the Mary Mills main road through the area and Waldridgc is the original name of Christchurch Way - the other main road. There NB. Horsburgh says that a William Dent bought arc a number of other similar names and two in Park in 1852 from the creditors of John Wells. He then particular, Caradoc und Braddyll Streets seem to be sold it George Wythes in 1861. Ed. named after the original locomotives at South Helton colliery • Braddyll is actually an exhibit at the Timothy Hackworth Museum in Durham. The British Red Cross Society Museum and Archives, hitherto based at Barnett Hill near I have spent a lot of time in Durham and Tyneside trying Guildford, have now been relocated to Red Cross to find out if Coles Child had any relationships with National Headquarters at 9 Grosvenor Crescent, collieries there but have had no success. Perhaps London SW1X 7EJ. This means that the entire someone from Bromley might know more about his collection will be housed on one site - more activities. In Greenwich he also developed the riverside with coal wharves and others which he rented out - these convenient for anyone who wishes to make use of are today Lovell’s Wharf which is about to be it. To make an appointment ring 0171 201 5153. redeveloped. Wimpeys - where the Swanngc Globe was made by Mowlem and still in use, and Pipers, still an active boat repair yard. Coles Child also seems to have Hazel Basford of 1, Edge End Road, CT10 2AH, is been behind the promotion of a large dock and railway in doing an MA degree at Kent University about the Greenwich, which was never built. VAD during the First World War. She says that the HO in Bromley was at 53, Bromley Common. Coles Child is not the only Bromley resident to have an She would be pleased to hear from anyone who has interest in the Greenwich peninsula. Much of the area any information, photos or memorabilia about the was, and is, owned by Morden College - a city of London controlled charity with a Wren built house on VAD in Bromley.

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