A church on this site was known to exist from the 12th century. But Woodford itself dates from earlier and is mentioned in the Doomsday book.
The Manor of Woodford was owned by the Canons of the Holy Cross of Waltham who held it up until the Dissolution.
As the population of Woodford increased in the late 1800’s, St. Mary's church became inadequate. Its position on the High Road in the south-western corner of the parish was always inconvenient for parishioners at Woodford Bridge and Woodford Wells. New churches were constructed – St Pauls in Woodford Bridge (GC6WY5D - Church Micro 10296...Woodford Wells) and All Saints in Woodford Wells (GC40G5X - Church Micro 457: Woodford Bridge, St Pauls)
On the afternoon of Sunday, February 9th, 1969 the church was destroyed by fires which had been lit in five places. The silver, some vestments, and the registers dating back to 1558, were saved from the flames.
The new building, designed by John Phillips, is almost square and full of light, with the altar close to the centre. It was re-dedicated by the Bishop of Barking on Saturday, June 3rd, 1972
The cache should be a nice and easy find. You are looking for something magnetic.
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