Little Heath Chapel, Chadwell Heath
On the 2nd Aug 1862 the little chapel was opened.
It was erected by the only gentleman in the neighbourhood, Captain Ibbetson and was built in the grounds of his house, Little Heath House, under his own supervision and to his own design and without the assistance of an architect.
The chapel was in the form of a patriarchal cross, the builders and labourers were all local men, residents of Chadwell Heath. The cost was around £2000 and presumably built because there was no church nearby or not within 4 miles. Many local residents admitted they had not been to church for some time. This may go some way to explaining the breach of Sunday trading laws at the Crooked Billet!
The Essex Standard and General Advertiser of Wed 13 Aug 1862 reports that The Hon. Rev. Henry Bertie D.C.L, vicar of Great Ilford commenced the opening ceremony with morning prayer, the Rev. John Chittenden previously a missionary in California read the first lesson and Rev. George Martin Braune formerly vicar of Wistow Yorkshire read the second lesson and that Rev. W. F. E. Knollys preached. The organist was Mr Dawson and the choir of Barking Church were also in attendance.
After the service a meal was had in a marquee erected in the grounds.
Ernest Ibbetson born about 1830 in London was Lieutenant in Hertsfordshire Militia and Captain of 29th Middlesex Riffles, later a Major. He and his wife Frances lived at Heath House for many years and can be found in the 1861, 1871, 1881 census.
From the map it looks that Little Heath House and the chapel were roughly where Hargeaves Scout Camp is today or very close by.
** Update, Ron Jeffries’ soon to be published book “Aldborough Hatch – The Village in the Suburbs – A History” will include information on St James’ Church, Little Heath as well as St. Peter’s Church, Aldborough Hatch. Further information can be seen here: http://www.stpetersah.org.uk/ **
I’m sure a lady left the green to the people that live in little heath in her will
That’s interesting, do you have any further information?
Admin
I am writing a book – Aldborough Hatch – The Village in the Suburbs – A History – which I will publish privately nexrt month. The text is almost completed. St. Peter’s Church, Aldborough Hatch, was consecrated on 6th March 1862 – its history and artefacts feature in the book. Also I have a photograph and short history of the Chapel of St. James – referred to here. I would very much like to use the description of the opening ceremony here.
It may be over three years since your original posting, but I’d be interested in buying a copy of your book. I visited St Peters at the weekend but am more interested in the old church at Little Heath. My grandfather, William Baragwanath, lived in Aldborough Hatch as a child, possibly in a house called Double House and his grandfather, David Roberts, painted a scene in 1888 of his grandchildren collecting pennies for the guy looking out of a door of their house. Subsequently my grandfather and his brothers painted various scenes of the countryside around Aldborough Hatch. Some history of the area would be useful.
Thanks for your comments. You can contact Ron Jeffries, the author, here http://www.stpetersah.org.uk/contacts.html
GenPals Admin