Holy Cross Church

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

HISTORY (cont)

the thirteenth and fourteenth centuries. I seriously tried.

What I can confirm is the original church is documented to have been built from gravel, shingle kept together with mud. However, the number of parishioners here in our little hamlet grew, and the church needed to expand to accommodate the worshipers, so in the late 15th century early 16th, the church was renovated.

The population increased in the 20th Century, with a huge building program to accommodate the need for family homes, alongside the development of factories and plants including Sandersons, Hoover and Joe Lyons.

The result was that in 1939, with larger congregations, a new, largely timber church was erected at right angles to its predecessor.

During all this time, Greenford the area we now know, was ‘The Manor of Greenford’ and owned by Westminster Abbey, being an acquisition dating back to the pre-Norman Conquest, it remained this way until the Dissolution of the Monasteries in the 16th century.

Greenford is indeed proving to be a minefield of history!

The name Holy Cross, given to Greenford's Parish Church, was chosen to honour the belief that a relic of the 'true cross' (upon which, according to Christian belief, Christ died) is now housed for eternity in our fascinating building.

To all Christians, from all churches, this is truly a phenomenal fact.

Once the new church was completed, consecrated and fully operative circa 1941, it was decided the original one, which is a Grade 1 listed building, should be restored and in 1956 a minimal service schedule restarted, hosting a congregation of up to 100.

HISTORY (cont)

The ancient church eludes peace and long kept secrets, it’s very special.

The graveyard history is yet another tale, one for another issue, notwithstanding this, many remembered local dignitaries from the 1700’s right through the centuries until now, including Edward Betham, Nathaniel Ravenor, James Robert Roy, another local benefactor Simon Coston plus even earlier recollections of former priests including John Hart of the 15th century and Thomas Symons from the 16th.

There are many interesting monuments and artefacts in both the churches and graveyard with much history to embrace.

Lastly, the Reverend Michael Gardener, Rector of Greenford Magna (Great Greenford) from 1584 until his demise in 1630, whose 46 year term of office was recorded as the longest record of service, is also buried in the chancel of the church and in 1632 a memorial was placed actually in the altar, which can still be viewed.

To read the full history of this lovely church, call at the rectory and ask Rev Graham for a copy of his historical guide to Holy Cross Church Greenford.

My sincere and special thanks to him for lots of further information. Researching this article has been laborious but enjoyable.

These research facts have been gleaned from a copy of its’ history supplied by Fr Graham together with facts found under LB Ealing’s many active websites - thank you. I hope you all enjoyed it too.

I wonder quite where our journey will take us next time.

New College Opens for young adults 16-19 with Autism, in Greenford.

Springhallow are excited to bring to the community of Ealing a new Post 16 college for young adults aged 16 -19 with autism. The college will provide specialised services for up to 30 learners with Autism across a three year period with a focus on Employability skills for some, and independence for all.

Springhallow Post 16 aims to provide a bespoke provision for students with a wide range of needs that are on the Autistic Spectrum, incorporating a tailored programme via three different pathway programmes. We have a strong belief that all young people should have an opportunity in life to reach their potential and we aim to offer our students a tailored curriculum to suit their range of abilities and needs in order to achieve this.

We believe young people with disabilities should have a presence in our community. If you feel you, your employer or a community project could benefit our students, we would love to hear from you! Please contact us on admin@springhallow.ealing.sch.uk or tel: 020 8998 2700

Location: Springhallow Post 16 is based at 485 Greenford Road, Greenford UB6 8SR. (Formally Redwood College)