Church History

There has been a church on this site since 1410. The earliest church, or rather chapel of Romford, was in what is still known as the Oldchurch area and was first mentioned in 1177. Built near the River Rom then called Mercke-dych, it became too ruinous to use towards the end of the 14th century and the new church was built.

The present church was built in 1849-50 on the site of the 15th century building.  It was dedicated to the Blessed Virgin Mary and St Edward the Confessor. The architect John Johnson, in the decorated style that is a type of Gothic architecture used in this country in the middle ages designed the church.   It is built mainly of Kentish Rag with Bath dressings.

The stained glass in the church is Victorian dating from the turn of the century, with the glass in the East and West windows being modern replacements following blast damage in the Second World War.

Some of the memorials are from the earlier church of 1410 and were transferred to the new building in 1849-50.

St Edward's is fortunate to have The Wykeham Centre comprising Church House & Wykeham Hall. These buildings stand in the Market Place to the east of the Church.

The Trustees of The Wykeham Centre are the Vicar and Churchwardens of the St Edward’s.

There are two Voluntary Aided Schools associated with the Parish, the Primary  in Havering Drive, and the Comprehensive in London Road.

The school was founded as a Charity School in 1710 there were two sections, one for boys with a Master, and one for girls with a Mistress.