History of St Saviour’s

St Saviour's church was built in several stages in the early part of the 20th century. Worship commenced on site in a marquee whilst the first church building was constructed - the building which is now in use as the church hall.

Once this was completed, work commenced on what is now the church with completion in 1911 of the main body of the church. Subsequent additions were finished in the 1930's although the planned bell tower has never been built.

Some Notable Dates in St. Saviour’s History

July 1905

A movement was inaugurated with the object of providing for a church at the western end of the Parish of Prittlewell to cope with the rapid housing development in the area. A committee lead by Rev. T. O. Reay, the vicar of Prittlewell was formed which eventually, after a number of fruitless negotiations, resulted in a site for the Church and hall being purchased for £1,200 at the beginning of 1906.

1^st July 1906

The first recorded service is held on the site of St Saviour’s Westcliff at 11:000 am on Sunday 1^st July. This service was held in a large marquee which was used as the church until 31^st October 1906. H Scott-Smith was the officiating clergy. His text was 1 Peter 5. The £5.0.10 collection went towards church expenses. Small beginnings!

21^st November 1906

During 2006 the church hall was completed and used as the first church on the site. On the 21^st November 1906 the Church Hall was dedicated by the Bishop of Barking. 10 other clergy were recorded as attending including the vicars of Pritllewell, Southend, St Alban’s Westcliff, St Erkenwald Southend and of Rawreth. Also present was the curate of Ware, a certain Hugh Morrison Rose.

1^st January 1907

The Bishop of St Albans licensed Rev. Hugh Morrison Rose to be in complete charge of the Independent Conventional District of St Saviour, Westcliff, giving St Saviour’s autonomy from the Parish of Prittlewell.

11^th July 1910

The building of the first part of the church was started after the first turf was cut by the wife of the Rural Dean.

24^th September 1910

The chief corner stone of the church is laid with a service conducted by the Lord Bishop of Barking.

11^th April 1911

At 3:30pm on Saturday April 8^th 1911 the church was dedicated by the Lord Bishop of St Albans. (This was just the first part of the church – the Chancel and Lady chapel were to follow later; the Tower never came to fruition). The following day was Palm Sunday. During the course of Holy Week in 1911 there were 34 services in the church with 959 people attending the communion services on Easter Sunday.

May 1911

1911 was the coronation year of King George V and Queen Mary. St Saviour’s held their own Coronation Year Bazaar on the 2^nd, 3^rd and 4^th of May. The Bazaar raised £725 towards the church building funds.

21^st July 1911

The Lord Bishop of St Alban’s returned to consecrate the church at a service held on Friday 21^st July 1911 at 7:30pm. Unsurprisingly the hymns included Christ is made the sure Foundation.

3^rd October 1911

The Parish of St Saviour was constituted by Order in Council on October 3^rd, signed by King George V.

9^th December 1911

Finishing a hectic year in the life of St Saviour, the Rev Hugh Morrison Rose is admitted by the Lord Bishop of Barking as the first Vicar of the Parish of St Saviour, Westcliff on Sea.

28^th September 1912

Following more fundraising and work by the congregation of St Saviour, the daughter church of St Michael’s is built. The church hall of St Michael and All Angels is dedicated.

May 1914

A May Fayre “The Queen’s Birthday Bazaar” was held in the church hall, lasting four days! Patrons included the Earls of Essex and Chichester; the Lord Mayor of London; the Bishops of Chelmsford, Colchester and Barking; the headmaster of Eton; several members of parliament; a Lord; several Sirs; the Sheriff of Newcastle; numerous clergy; several Aldermen and a number of others. The Fayre was held to help clear the church debt.

September 1914

Land for a second daughter church – St Andrew’s – was purchased, for the sum of £800.

1915

The debt on the building was cleared.

August 1^st 1920

The war memorial windows at St Saviour’s were dedicated.

August 1922

A six day Chalkwell Fayre was held for the purpose of raising funds for St Saviour’s and St Andrew’s. £2,016 was raised.

21^st July 1923

The foundation stone for the second part of St Saviour’s building was laid.

15^th June 1924

The second part of the church was dedicated.

Advent Sunday 1924

Rev Hugh Morrison Rose died suddenly, shortly after taking a children’s service at St Saviour’s.

1927

Rev Norman Harry Clarke was instituted as the third vicar of St Saviour’s on 9^th September 1927. He later went on to become the Suffragan Bishop of Plymouth. This was also the same year that the church bell was hung.

1928

At a PCC meeting it was agreed that ladies would be allowed to join the choir – with a maximum number of five.

1929

The church completion appeal was launched – adding the Lady Chapel, chancel and vestries.

1933

The PCC agreed to start plans to complete the church, excluding the tower. The first turf was cut on 2^nd September and the foundation stone laying ceremony took place on 9^th December.

1934

On July 7^th 1934 the third part of St Saviour’s was consecrated by the Bishop of Chelmsford

1936

The stained glass East Window was installed.

1940

As there were insufficient people to hold a Fayre, it was agreed that here would be an Imaginary Fayre. The curate sat in the hall all day and received donations that would have been spent at the Fayre.

1947

The Lady Chapel was completed with oak panelling and stained glass windows amongst the work done.

1949