Memorial Community Church, church in Plaistow, London
Memorial Community Church is a place of worship in Plaistow, east London, built in Neo-Byzantine style with two towers and a prominent domed roof. The brick building houses an electric organ installed in 1924 and features a bell system commemorating 169 local men who died in the First World War.
The original congregation began in 1871 as Barking Road Tabernacle and developed over decades until the present building opened in 1922. The church was designed as a memorial to local war casualties, and its bells were dedicated in 1926 during a ceremony featuring renowned singer Kennerley Rumford, honoring those who died in the war.
The church's name reflects its purpose as a memorial to local people who died in the First World War, making remembrance central to its identity. This commemorative role shapes how the community gathers here today, blending worship with reflection on shared loss and resilience.
The building is well connected by public transport and centrally located in Plaistow, making it easy for visitors to reach. Spaces are available for rent and the church offers regular services and community activities throughout the week.
Among the 169 names inscribed on the church bells is Prince Maurice of Battenberg, the only member of the royal family to die in the First World War. This uncommon distinction makes the bell system a striking record of how war casualties transcended social ranks.
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