HISTORY The continued history of Greenford Green by PCSO Arthur Gray 7372WA DWO
HOLY CROSS CHURCH - The Original Church As I walked up Oldfield Lane South from the north side of the ward, on the left I was greeted by two churches. One dating back to splendid medieval times - the ancient church of HOLY CROSS PARVA - the original 12th century building.
(remember in the Autumn edition we spoke about Grena Forda, when we learnt Greenford consisted of two areas, Magna and Parva, large and small a term now attributed to both churches too) The original church building dates back to circa 1157AD and is one of three outstandingly beautiful old churches found in the north part of the borough. The other two being St Mary’s Parish Church, Northolt which still graces the top of Belvue Park, and the somewhat unknown, unconsecrated church of St Mary the Virgin in Perivale (Grena Parva) who sleeps, hidden away in the leafy alleyway running down to Pitshanger Park over the River Brent, as it meanders through Ealing Golf Course, in the old Perivale Lane. Many well attended classical concerts are held here now, well worth a visit. (You may also remember, we mentioned this church still has a stained glass window of Horsa’s incredible daughter Elaine, known as the Lepers Window. I think we may have to go back to that story at a later date.) Back to our original flint and granite built church which now nestles contented close to the Magna church. I tried hard to carry out research concerning the old church. I did learn that it is only 60 feet long, but its history is less easy to learn as most information starts in 12
