Parish History

A HISTORY OF ALL SAINTS' CHURCH, SQUIRRELS HEATH

Three Important Events

The new parish of St. Michael and All Angels was duly constituted on 8^th August 1933 while the new hall of St. Michael’s, Gidea Park was being built by Messrs. Steadman Bros. of Ilford at a contract price of Ł2900 and was dedicated on October 7^th on the same day as the stone laying by the Bishop of Barking of the new Chancel of All Saints. St. Michael’s new hall is one of the premier halls of the diocese, while the erection of the patent "Lamella" roof created a great deal of interest.

The dedication of All Saints’ extension took place on December 16^th by the Lord Bishop of Chelmsford. The Bishop expressed the greatest surprise and delight at what had been accomplished and was amazed to think that so much had been done for the money. Mr. J.J. Crowe and the builders, Messrs. Pichers, Ltd., were to be heartily congratulated. What to do with All Saints had always been a problem and many suggested that it was no use trying to alter the present building, the only thing to do was to pull it down. They were not, however, counting on the vision of Mr. Crowe who had, indeed, accomplished the impossible. He has provided us with a parable. Nothing is really hopeless in life, it can be transformed into something dignified, beautiful and worthy of the Master’s use.

The enlarged All Saints' Chapel 1933

The estimated cost for the work was Ł2271, while the Bishop’s Appeal fund generously granted Ł1000 towards this object.

The external aspect on the north side did not look much like a church. It is certain that the Council when passing the plans must have been unable to visualise the temporary new organ chamber or they would not have decided on the original plan for the permanent chamber.

As it was, the chamber and the chimney of the heating apparatus suggested a factory. If the new nave had been built the chimney would have been concealed in the wall. However, evergreen trees were planted immediately in front of the heating chamber so that the land between the church and the hall was turned into shrubbery so that the northerly aspect was not so great a strain on the eye.

The church had been dedicated to Almighty God in memory of "All Saints" and those Faithful Departed who by the Grace of god have handed down to us the great and glorious truth of the gospel. The new chancel had been designed on the most simple but traditional lines, having in mind that it was to be the chancel of a church worthy of such dedication. It was intended that the church, and especially the chancel, should be symbolic of those in whose memory it was built and thus assist those who worship there to be ever mindful of them. The simple but purposeful lines of the structure may be taken as typical of the lives of the saints. In the ceiling of the choir emblems of the Saints representing "The Cloud of Witnesses" were depicted.

On the floor at the entrance to the Sanctuary were the letters Alpha and Omega, "The Beginning and the End", which, together with the Cross, were marked in sand by the Bishop at the time of the dedication. These were then cut in stone and built into the floor of the Sanctuary. In the Sanctuary symbols and emblems of the life hereafter were to be carved out while the reredos, which was to be made of oak, would contain panels in which traditional pictures would have been painted, the subject being "Our lord in Glory" in the large centre panel flanked by "Cherubims and Seraphims", over this panel was to have been the emblem of God the father. The small east window contained painted glass, the subject being that of the Holy Spirit in the form of a Dove; the rays of the Spirit were shed downwards over traditional forms of clouds, land and sea.

Inside the enlarged chapel

In the ceiling of the Sanctuary were the sacred crowned monograms XPS and HIS in letters dating from the 12^th and 13^th Centuries. They were monograms of the Greek forms of Christ and Jesus respectively, while the latter may also be interpreted as representing the words from the Latin "Jesus the Saviour of mankind". In the small long panels next to the walls was to have been added the "Hallelujah" meaning "Praise Ye the Lord". The colours blue and red which are traditionally suitable to All Saints. Blue signifying Divine Contemplation, Red, emblematical of the Passion of our lord and also as the emblem of martyrdom. Gold was added, the emblem of brightness and glory. Carved bosses at the intersections of the panels, with the emblems of the trinity and instruments of the Passion will, it was hoped, would be added.

In the South wall of the Sanctuary was placed the Piscina, the original use of which was the disposal of any surplus consecrated wine and the rinsings of the sacred vessels by means of a waste pipe through which it is passed to the earth. It is now generally used as a recess in the wall to provide a shelf on which the elements and the vessels are placed (the credence table). To the west of the Piscina is the Sedilla, a recessed seat, usually provided for the clergy or servers assisting at the celebrations. There was also a squint in this wall. There are many ancient examples of such squints which were made to provide a view from the side chapel on to the high Altar.

Furniture

Unfortunately the list of furniture is incomplete, but we are assured that the New Chancel was beautifully furnished by the gifts of the parishioners in light oak, which was beautifully lit by concealed electric lighting. The Sedilla was given by Mrs. Bridge; Mr. and Mrs. Tisshaw provided the Vicar’s Stall: a curtain, candlesticks and cross were given by Mr. and Mrs. Armstrong in loving memory of Sidney Ferdinando Stanley; while the Girl Guides gave the Sanctuary carpet. The pulpit was bought by the G.F.S., who also intended to provide the money for the carving of the panels of the Pulpit to represent some of the great women saints. The East window was a gift from the Sunday School children. The Episcopal Chair was a memorial to the Rev. Marcus Peters. The new Lectern was provided through the efforts of Mrs. Marchbank and the Altar Rail was in memory of John Thomas Caban.

The Vicarage

From 1926 to 1930 No. 4 Fairholme Avenue was known as the Vicarage and in 1930 to 1931 the Vicar seems to have lived at "The Elms" in Balgores Lane. About this time the Vicarage, at No. 5 Manor Avenue, was bought and enlarged at a cost, including fees, of Ł2620, the Ecclesiastical Commissioners paid Ł1331 towards the cost and the Bishop’s Crusade Fund gave Ł100.

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