A cache in the über suburbs that grew in this area during the 1930's. Unlike the centuries-old village churches that the CM series celebrates, this cache marks one of the more modern churches that were established to serve the theological needs of the growing suburban population.
In 1932 the parish of St John Vianney was established with a small temporary wooden church built on the site on the present church hall. Father James Malone, the Rector of St Mary of the Crays, Crayford, was a man of abundant energy and vision. He was also good at DIY and building work. A legacy of £119 was received and Father Malone bought the site for the first church at Bexleyheath. He arranged for the building of three identical churches: St John Vianney, Bexleyheath (1933), St John Fisher, Bexley (1935) and St Thomas More, Bostall Park (1936).
St John Vianney Church was only meant to last five years but in fact it lasted for 45 years, being used as hall when the new church was built. It cost £960. The sum of £626 had been raised leaving a debt of £350. It was built by G.W. Lucas of Bexley. There had been some voices raised at the time which questioned the wisdom of building a church at a time of unemployment. The new church could hold two hundred people and the opening Mass was celebrated and sung by Fr O'Leary (Woolwich), Fr Ford (Dartford) who acted as deacon and Fr Brady (Crayford) who acted as sub deacon.
Father Austin started fundraising for a new church in 1946. This was a challenge in the post-war austerity and it was not until 1959 that sufficient monies had been raised. Father Austin travelled around looking at churches trying to get some ideas for the church he wanted to build. In Rottingdean he discovered the Church of Our Lady Queen of Peace, which had been designed by Mr H Bingham Turner ARIBA, who also designed a similar church at Billingshurst. This was the church he was looking for and the same architect designed St John Vianney.
The exterior is of knapped flint. Some items from the old church were taken to the new, including the Sanctuary Lamp, Sacred Heart Statue and an old table which is now in the porch. The Opening Mass in the new church was celebrated on 8th May 1959 by Father Austin in the presence of Archbishop Cyril Cowderoy. There were over 400 people present and Pope John XXIII sent his blessing.
The blue sign outside the church gives three times that services take place on Sunday. These are:
A.BC D.EF G.HJ
The cache can be found at:
27 . (D – A) (D – E – H) (B + C)
08. (B + H – G) (A + F) (G + J)
**************************************
For full information on how you can expand the Church Micro series by sadexploration please read the Place your own Church Micro page before you contact him.
See also the Church Micro Statistics and Home pages for further information about the series.
*************************************