The Rededication of All Saints Church
When the two parachute mines landed in Croxley Hall woods during the night of the 25th September 1940 it was quite possible the bombers were aiming for the railway lines. As the night ‘blackout’ was in force and a large expanse of county side they were probably off target. Even though so many buildings were damaged with serious structural repairs need eventually, no one was killed. However, at least eight properties were completely destroyed within the area of All Saints church.
The following month the vicar wrote a report on the damage including the church hall, thanking everyone concerned who had swiftly joined in the ‘massive clearing up.’ Help extended from many areas including other local churches as well as Rickmansworth and Mill End. However, he did not mention at the time the damage to the vicarage had resulted in him being trapped for seven and a half hours in the vicarage cellar!
Mr. Leslie Moore, Church Architect, was consulted swiftly and recommended the dangerous parts of the structure removed and the older nave which took the greater impact covered to preserve as much as possible. The Lady Chapel and organ chamber would have to be rebuilt and a Church Restoration Fund was soon set up.
The church hall became available soon after for services but other church events would have to be performed at St Mary’s Rickmansworth.
Temporary repairs meant services could resumed about a year later but the church was fully restored and hallowed on Sunday 18th January 1953 by the Bishop of St. Albans, the Rt Reverend M.E. Gresford Jones to a packed congregation.
The following month the vicar wrote a report on the damage including the church hall, thanking everyone concerned who had swiftly joined in the ‘massive clearing up.’ Help extended from many areas including other local churches as well as Rickmansworth and Mill End. However, he did not mention at the time the damage to the vicarage had resulted in him being trapped for seven and a half hours in the vicarage cellar!
Mr. Leslie Moore, Church Architect, was consulted swiftly and recommended the dangerous parts of the structure removed and the older nave which took the greater impact covered to preserve as much as possible. The Lady Chapel and organ chamber would have to be rebuilt and a Church Restoration Fund was soon set up.
The church hall became available soon after for services but other church events would have to be performed at St Mary’s Rickmansworth.
Temporary repairs meant services could resumed about a year later but the church was fully restored and hallowed on Sunday 18th January 1953 by the Bishop of St. Albans, the Rt Reverend M.E. Gresford Jones to a packed congregation.
Repairs now completed
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Rededication service
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