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1946-1970

Pictures > Churches > St. Mary's Becontree

ST. MARY’S CHURCH,  BECONTREE – BRIEF CHRONOLOGY
Compiled from research by
John Blake and Richard Chapman,
Barking and District Historical Society
September 2015


1952

Tom Anscombe left and was  replaced Rev. Tom Pownall.  Pownall was wartime curate at St. Mary’s. He also accepted the invitation to become Chaplain to the Mayor of Dagenham, a post also held by his predecessor.

1954  July 13th

Death of Hartley Brook.

1955  September 24th

Hartley Brook Mission Hall  in Rosslyn Avenue officially opened by the widow of Rev. Brook in the presence of the Bishop of Barking (Rev. Hugh Gough).

1959

Sunday School classes began  in the Heath Park Hall.

1960  June 25th and 26th

25th  anniversary weekend which included a reunion tea in the church hall and open-air services in four parish roads. The Rev. T. Anscombe, Principal of Clifton Theological College and former vicar, returned to preach at the Sunday service.

1961

Rev. Edward G. Stride appointed  vicar in succession to Tom Anscombe.

1967

Church land at the corner of Grafton Road and  Valence Wood Road sold to the council for housing purposes.

1969  July 13th

Radio 2’s The People's Service broadcast from St. Mary’s. The service was beamed to the British Forces Network in Germany as well as at home.

1970  July

Rev. Roy Phillips, aged  38, of Stoke-on-Trent appointed vicar, but died suddenly shortly before his move to Dagenham. Members of the church attended his funeral.

1970

Rev. John Short appointed  vicar in succession to Edward Stride. The Rev. Short was 6’4" tall.

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