SATURDAY 23 APRIL 2016 UNLOCK LONDON WALK 33St Mary of Eton – Anglican Address: Eastway, Hackney Wick, E9 5JA

Churchwarden: David Sinclair-Benstead – churchwarden@stmaryofeton.org.ukTel: 020 8986 3023/07825 514888www.stmaryofeton.org.uk UNLOCK CHECKPOINT

The Parish Church of Hackney Wick, St Mary of Eton was founded as the “Eton Mission” by Eton College.

The present building was designed by Bodly. The tower was added in 1912 when the building was enlarged. In the early 1950’s the parish of St Augustine in Victoria Park was amalgamated into the parish as their church was demolished due to enemy action during the 2nd World War.

In 2014 the church was refurbished. The old halls on the north side were developed into flats. A new hall was created on the ground floor of flats built on the south side, the site of the old social club.

We are an anglo-catholic church in the Stepney Diocese of the Church of England and have a wide ranging congregation in both age and ethnicity.

At present the church is in interregnum and we are in the middle of working to appoint a new vicar.

SATURDAY 23 APRIL 2016 UNLOCK LONDON WALK 33Team Rector: Rev Clive MainAddress: Homerton High Street, Hackney, E9 6DLTel: 020 8533 1156clivemain@outlook.com

St Barnabas – Anglican

Brief history of St BarnabasJohn Watson, the Rector of Hackney Parish Church, saw the need for more churches in Hackney with its quickly growing population. He and his brother Joshua determined to erect a church in Homerton, which had been their family home. The church was built on what had been a horse farm. The architect was Arthur Ashpitel. It is built in the perpendicular style, constructed of Kentish ragstone with Bath stone dressings. It was consecrated on St Barnabas Day 1847.

On 8th August 1944 a flying bomb exploded near the church, leaving it a roofless ruin. For the next 14 years the congregation met in the church hall. St Barnabas was repaired (and the east end altered) and reconsecrated in 1958. St Barnabas was reordered in 2007/8, with the introduction of a chancel dais, disabled facilities and chairs to replace pews. In 2010, the St Barnabas Hall & Schools building was sold to Core Arts, a charity that exists to promote the artistic and creative abilities of people who experience severe and enduring mental health issues.

Don’t miss the two paintings by Alfred Soord, salvaged from St Andrew’s Bethnal Green, which was badly war-damaged and later demolished. The Good Shepherd (1906) became very popular and copies were made. The screens that used to hide or reveal The Crucifixion (1900) have been removed (good or bad idea – what do you think?) Postcards of both paintings are available.

Team ministry In 1985 St Barnabas became part of the Hackney Marsh Team Ministry, drawn into partnership with All Souls, which ministers to the Clapton Park estate, and Christchurch-on-the-Mead, which was ‘planted’ in 1976 to minister to the Kingsmead estate. (Christchurch meets in the Wally Foster Community Centre, opposite Mabley Green.) The parish is supported by a small lay Community of the Word of God (Kenworthy Rd), which offers prayer, pastoral care and quiet days.

Who worships at St Barnabas? We are “a church for all ages and all nations”. Our membership reflects the rich diversity of the area. These days we are 90% African/Afro-Caribbean, with quite a high turnover. On an average Sunday, we are 80 – 90 adults and 20 – 30 young people. Age-related groups meet each Sunday – Kids Club (3 – 11) and Pathfinders (11 – 18). In the summer we run a week-long Holiday Bible Club using Scripture Union resources. (Offers of help very welcome!)

What is worship like at St Barnabas? We are in the Evangelical tradition, and take the Bible seriously, and want to understand it and live by it. We use ‘Common Worship’ in our services, in a structured but relaxed style. Our music is led by keyboard, drums and organ. Our services are personal and interactive, starting with half an hour of ‘all age time’

How does St Barnabas serve the local community? We have regular links with the local primary school, and with chaplaincy work at the Homerton Hospital (just behind the church). Our current lack of facilities restricts other activities. We would like to do a lot better!

Mission partners in TanzaniaSt Barnabas supports Ben and Katy Ray, who have been sent by CMS (Church Mission Society) to head up the Neema Crafts Project in the Diocese of Ruaha in Tanzania, which provides crafts training for deaf and physically disabled people. The crafts are then sold via their shop and website www.neemacrafts.com. The project also includes a Guest House and Cafe, all run by disabled people. Look out for Neema bunting and a model of the hand-powered tricycles which many of their workers are given for extra mobility.

Prayer points

1. There is growing gentrification in parts of Homerton. How can we reach them?

2. How do we reach out to the Homerton that doesn’t change - with poverty, deprivation, ill-health (physical and mental) and immigration issues?

3. St Barnabas has attempted two projects to add facilities to our church building. Both have failed. How can we move this forward?

SATURDAY 23 APRIL 2016 UNLOCK LONDON WALK 33Minister: Rev Elizabeth WelchAddress: 2 Powerscroft Road, Hackney, E5 0PUTel: 020 8533 9676info@theroundchapel.org.ukwww.web.theroundchapel.org.uk

Clapton Park URC – the Round Chapel

THE AREAClapton Park United Reformed Church is situated in the Lower Clapton area of the Borough of Hackney. In 2008 the church was described as lying at the end of ‘Murder Mile’ in view of the number of gang killings that had been happening in and down the Lower and Upper Clapton Roads. Over the last seven years the number of killings has halved and the area has been going through a process of gentrification, which has led to different issues for the church to face.

THE CHURCH History and buildingThe present building ‘The Round Chapel’, a Grade 2* listing building dating back to 1867, is an historic local landmark, in view of its circular Victorian design. The origins of the church go back to the beginning of the 19th century and the Gravel Pit Chapel, formed by Congregationalists who gradually outgrew their chapel. They decided to construct a much

larger building, to seat several hundred people and provide ancillary rooms for the Sunday school and weekday work of the church. In 1972 the church became part of the United Reformed Church, a union of Congregationalists and Presbyterians. By the 1970’s the congregation was starting to reduce in numbers and by the 1990’s the building was in need of major repair work. After an extensive period of consultation with English Heritage, agreement was reached with Hackney Historic Buildings Trust taking over the main part of the Round Chapel and Clapton Park United Reformed Church continuing with the ‘Old School Rooms’ on the side of the building. A major renovation ensued, with the range of halls, meeting rooms and offices being put back into good order.

Life and witnessThe congregation is lively, all-age and multicultural, with members coming from Angola and Nigeria, the West Indies, the USA and Australia, as well

as many parts of Britain. 30 to 50 children and adults meet for worship each Sunday morning, led by the minister, a team of worship leaders from the congregation, and a gifted all-age group of up to twelve acoustic musicians, playing guitar, mandolin, violin, drums and piano. On the second Sunday of each month there is an innovative all-age worship, which can include discussion, creativity and a range of forms of prayer. The congregation goes away for a weekend once a year for a time of renewal and refreshment. The youth group and prayer group meet fortnightly.The outreach ranges across a variety of areas: a Sunday soup kitchen for homeless and vulnerable people with a drop in advice centre; participation in the Hackney Winter night shelter, giving a home to homeless people for a night a week during two months in the autumn; a weekly toddlers group focussing on music and arts; a monthly community meal for people who live locally; a full-time nursery, and a huge range of different groups and organisations that use the space during the week as part of the church’s reaching out into the local community.

ROOTED IN PRAYER

Praise: We give thanks to God for the bringing to life of an old building; for the commitment and enthusiasm of the people; for the range of ages at worship Sunday by Sunday; for being a visible sign of the world church; for the wide range of activity.

Concern: We pray for the wisdom to discern the next steps in outreach and the strength to continue to walk faithfully where God leads us, without becoming worn out by trying to do too much.

We live day by day trying to balance the books financially and pray for our financial position to be strengthened.

SATURDAY 23 APRIL 2016 UNLOCK LONDON WALK 33Pastor: Rev Teo BaimaAdministrator: Ruth McDaid - ruth.mcdaid@yahoo.co.uk Address: Major Road, Stratford, E15 1DYTel: 020 8558 0888/07710 616523Email: tbaima@btinternet.com,www.mrb-church.uk

Major Road Baptist Church

Over the past few years, Stratford has seen rejuvenation to the area on a large scale that has benefited those in and around the town. Stratford is home to the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park that hosted the 2012 Olympic Games and turned the area into a popular tourist attraction. Not only does Stratford have a fantastic sporting arena but it also has prominent arts venues and the largest urban shopping mall in Europe, which is called Westfield Stratford City.

Major Road Baptist Church (MRBC) is a small but lively Bible-believing church located in the heart of Stratford within walking distance of the Olympic village, Westfield and Leyton station. MRBC is home to believers of many different nationalities, backgrounds and walks of life. We welcome all with open arms and hope that you will join us in our walk with Christ.

During World War II, the church’s main building was repeatedly bombed throughout the London raids; this led to the remainder of the building being pulled down as its structure was deemed dangerous. After a frustrating 12 years of trying to secure funding,

Items for praise and prayer

• PraythatGodwillrestorethelove for Him in the hearts of the people of the community.

• PraiseandthankGodforthenew things He is doing in MRBC.

• Prayforouryouthtodevelopahunger for God.

• Weprayforthefinancialneedsof MRBC.

The re-opening of the Church was a grand celebration that included prominent figures such as the Mayor of West Ham, leaders from the LBA (London Baptist Association) and members of the community. Since 1885 when the church was first planted, it has now been serving the community over the last 130 years, spreading the love of God and teachings of Christ.

the hall which stood adjacent to the main building was finally refurbished. On Saturday 26th September 1953, the doors of Major Road Baptist Church were once again open to the public.

SATURDAY 23 APRIL 2016 UNLOCK LONDON WALK 33Vicar: Rev Jeremy FraserAssociate Priest: Rev Jeanette Meadway – revjeanettem@icloud.comAddress: Maryland Road, Stratford, E15 1JLTel: 020 8534 1164/07970 139881Email: jeremy@fraserwireless.co.ukwww.stratfordstpauls.com

St Paul’s & St James – Anglican

152 years after being a tin hut for railway workers the gothic church was the centre of the community for the railway community; from schools to health, football teams through to brass bands.

On Shrove Tuesday 1945 the church was hit with one of the last V2 bombs. 30 people in three houses died, mostly women and children. In 1953 the modern architecture of the current St Paul’s was opened. Perhaps oddly this was the first building rebuilt in the nearly flattened landscape. The houses were corrugated iron and there was

no school. We have a royal crest in recognition; the opening was delayed by several months due to unpaid bills!

Today St Paul’s is a worldwide church. We have 150 members. We cover E20 (the olympic athletes village) and part of E15. We have over 30 languages and the largest single group are Bulgarians (42). We host a food bank, night shelter, lunch club and after school clubs and we have an English language class for new arrivals. In 2014 St James’ church Stratford moved to join St

Paul’s and the parish is now officially renamed St Paul’s and St James’.

We have a clergy team of 5, Jeanette a former Professor in the NHS, Annie a former teacher (now a pioneer minister), Milen one of our curates who has a building company, Ivo another curate who works in London hotels (both Bulgarian) and I was formerly the leader of Southwark Council. So we are a varied bunch, thrown together by God with the other churches in Stratford to try and make His kingdom here.

Jeremy Fraser.

SATURDAY 23 APRIL 2016 UNLOCK LONDON WALK 33Priest: Fr Michael Copps, OFMAddress: Grove Crescent Road, Stratford, E15 1NSTel: 020 8534 1964Email: stratford@friar.org

St Francis of Assisi – RC Church

The first Catholic Church in Stratford in modern times was in West Ham Lane (1789 -1813) and then in High Street, Stratford (1813-1868). In 1868 the present church was built and this went along with a shift of the centre of Stratford to the east to be near the Railway Station and Great Eastern Railway works; it was dedicated to St Vincent and St Patrick.

The Order of Friars Minor was present in the country but not in London and Cardinal Manning

invited the Friars to take charge of the parish in 1878 and the Church was rededicated to St Francis of Assisi.

The present sanctuary is an addition to the original and was built in 1931.

The famous film director, Alfred Hitchcock, was baptised in this church.

At present St Francis serves a multi-cultural community with the largest

group coming from West Africa principally Nigeria and Ghana. Many Pilipino people come to church here and we have a Mass for Polish people. The church has an attendance of about 750 people each weekend. The people of the parish provide hot drinks and sandwiches to homeless people on weekdays serving 20–40 people each day. There is also a soup run that goes up to Central London.

SATURDAY 23 APRIL 2016 UNLOCK LONDON WALK 33Deacon: Debbie Buckley Address: Bryant Street, Stratford, E15 4RUTel: 020 8534 0085 www.bryantstreetmethodist.org.uk

Stratford Methodist Church

Stratford Methodist church is located in the bustling borough of Newham a stone’s throw from the busy Westfield shopping Centre and Queen Victoria Olympic Park. (The church was host to the island nation of Vanuatu during the 2012 games!) This small congregation is diverse, reflecting the many ethnicities and cultures of the borough with every generation represented. The church is also used for services by two other congregations.

The church, and the community it serves, has endured much change throughout its existence. The history of Stratford Methodist Church begins in 1884 with a mission by American evangelists Moody and Sankey. The preacher and hymn-writer duo were in Stratford for a period of 10 months, during which time the Conference Hall was built. In 1934, the Conference Hall was taken over by the newly united Methodist Church. However, like much of the East End of London it was destroyed in the

Blitz bombings of WWII. All that remains of the original building is known as the Main Hall, with its plaque commemorating those who died in the First World War still in place. Constructed in 1909/10 the main hall is the oldest part of the church still standing at 107 years old, and has served as a hospital for soldiers during WW1, as well as a place of worship during the Blitz. After much prayer, in 1964, the foundation stone to a new church was laid and the new church with its ancillary building and hostel was completed.

Just as the main hall served as a place of refuge for injured soldiers during the first world, the church is also home to a hostel for single people. The Wesley House hostel is currently managed on behalf of the church by Caritas Anchor House, having been established shortly after the rebuild in 1966.

Items of prayer and praise

We remain thankful for the new members and young people in the congregation and pray that they are guided in the spiritual walk.

We are currently between ministers, but our work and worship continues. Please pray that a new minister of God’s choosing may soon be appointed and also for the rest of the Leadership.

As Stratford undergoes a period of regeneration, we ask that you pray for the homeless, elderly and isolated who are often forgotten and neglected.

In these turbulent times, pray for the message of God’s love and understanding to be shared amongst the community.