The Holy Cross, Ockendon

Introduction

Henry Bingham Towner of Uckfield designed the church, and Messrs Hammond & Miles of Ilford were the builders. A dual purpose hall/church was built in 1953 from designs by D. Plaskett Marshall, and a presbytery by the same architect followed in 1955.

Architecture and furnishings

Joseph Cribb, a pupil of Eric Gill's, carved the statue of Christ over the west door and the foundation stone. The sanctuary was originally enclosed by communion rails with turned balusters and had a canopy over the high altar, but these have been removed and the sanctuary step brought forward with a nave altar. Internally, the bottom stage of the tower serves as a vestibule with a gallery over. The walls throughout are plastered and painted, and the leaded windows are clear glazed.

The sanctuary in the east bay has a rectangular opening on each side, with a side chapel on the north. The re-ordering of the sanctuary has deprived the interior of its original visual focus, but otherwise the building is little-altered.

Sacraments and pastoral care

The Bishop celebrates Confirmation in the parish every three years, and in intervening years the parish priest celebrates it on Pentecost, with candidates aged 14 or over attending a preparation course that includes a weekend retreat. Parishioners intending to get married should make an appointment with the parish priest, ideally six months in advance. The church has a Book of Remembrance in which names of deceased loved ones can be included.

Visiting

Visitors using the South door as the main entrance or the East door as a side door will find emergency exits, with a meeting point on the green at the front. The church offers access for physically disabled people and a loop system for hearing aid users.