It was 1929 and the attractive village of Hornchurch was turning into a “dormitory” suburb with an eastward movement of population from London.
The first efforts were being made to meet the spiritual needs of a rapidly growing neighbourhood with the setting up by the Ilford Methodist Circuit of a committee under the leadership of the Minister of Romford Trinity Methodist Church to find a suitable site in Hornchurch for a School Chapel. Our present site in High Street was finally acquired in January 1932 for £840.
It was on 8th May 1930 at the home of Mr & Mrs Mycock in Station Lane, Hornchurch that a group of friends agreed to form a society, and start evening services in the Masonic Hall, Billet Lane, where Sainsbury’s now stand, and the first service was held on 1st June.
By February 1931 the membership of the society was 44, the first of the people called Methodists in Hornchurch. In that year a choir was formed and plans were approved for a School/Chapel costing about £3,860 and designed to be enlarged later.
For three and a half years the work was continued at the Billet Lane Masonic Hall while money was raised to erect the new building. The stone laying took place on 17th June 1933 and the opening was on 14th October 1933. By January 1934, the membership had swelled to 105.
By 1947 the building with a membership of 147 and many activities taking place was “splitting” at the seams and many meetings were overlapping. The need of more premises to accommodate the activities was more than apparent, but post war building restrictions and costs made any building programme impossible. However, in May 1952 a “Ways and Means” Committee was launched to raise a target of £1,000 for a new church. By February 1954 this target had been reached and surpassed and planning etc. commenced, with the continuing of further fundraising.
In November 1957 building work commenced. The stone laying took place on 22nd March 1958 and on 20th September 1958 the new church was opened.
Many changes have taken place over the years, and we continue to meet for Worship and Fellowship in our lovely Church. We are a vibrant and mission focussed church with a positive outlook. Our halls are used extensively throughout the week.
We have positive links with the Guide and Scout groups that meet on our premises. We have a weekly coffee drop in on a Saturday called ‘Meet Up’ where everyone is welcome to come in for coffee and a chat. We embrace modern technology as an aid to our services and we enjoy all styles of worship as the Holy Spirit leads us.
As we enter our 10th decade in Hornchurch we welcome all to join us. We hope that you will find a warm and friendly home with us and that the Lord will meet with you here!
Stay connected with what’s happening in our church family. From weekly services to special events and community outreach, there’s always something to be part of.
Join us for Sunday worship, midweek prayer gatherings, and special services throughout the year. Everyone is welcome, come as you are.
From community gatherings and Bible studies to family fun days and outreach activities, there’s always something happening.