religious
William Hayne, 1911
387-395 Barking Road, Plaistow, E13 8AL
Formerly known as Memorial Baptist Church this Grade II listed building opened in 1922, it retains many original features. Open House will include access to the church, gallery and bell tower, and information on church history. 18th September at 7pm Lydia Thornley will lead a talk on the craft skills used in the building, and on the 19th 3.30-6pm there is a sketching workshop
Canning Town, Plaistow
West Ham
115, 241
There is step free access to the building, but not to the bell tower or gallery. Exhibition photos are on a ground floor screen.
If the bells in the bell tower are played, ear defenders are provided and are mandatory
15:00–19:00
15:00–19:00
15:00–19:00
15:30–18:00
Bring your sketch pads, join others exploring the building and sketching, as well as viewing the current exhibition in the Tower Gallery.
Talk
19:00–20:00
Artist in residence, Lydia Thornley will be speaking about her research, uncovering the crafts and design used in this remarkable building.
How to book
Bookings will open at midday on 19 August. You won't be able to book a ticket before then.
When the church opened in 1922 the minister, Rev Rowntree Clifford saw it as the Cathedral of the East End. West Ham Central Mission had a long history of social action in the area, which continues to the present in Memorial Community Church. The building contains many original features, including a Spurden Rutt organ, and a war memorial of a chime of 10 bells. Visitors will see the church, gallery, belltower, projectionist room which is now a studio, with artist in residence, and the Tower Gallery autumn exhibition. Lydia Thornley, artist in residence, will have an exhibition of her project informed by the building’s design, building crafts and materials."