Evangelical Church being built/ Money, Work, Religion and Politics

The following is a message from Joyce Kelly: 'As a teenager I remember the really special warm welcome for everyone that came to the Evangelical Church. What struck me was its dedication to youth and young families. Viv Lovall the Lay Preacher from Harold Wood (and former member of the Romford Evan -they 'raised the funds' for the Harold Hill Church) had such a heart for people especially the youth. Lives were touched by Viv's hard work and enthusiasm for youth and families. I remember in the early 1960's the Church being crammed to overflowing with young families and teenagers! Some of us went back as the years passed with our own children, both my two eldest children were 'Dedicated' here and Viv Lovall performed the ceremony in both cases in the 1970's

Sadly Viv died suddenly at the end of the 1970's and yes once again this small Church was full to 'absolute capacity' on the day of Viv's funeral. A testament to the 'love of Harold Hill people' to this outstanding family man from Harold Wood (His widow Doreen and co-church worker still lives there).

The above photograph of the building of the Evan was the beginning of the cornerstone of one of the most successful Non-Conformist Churches in Harold Hill, quite frankly it caught the right balance with the original residents and merged in, in successfully. Now in 2005, I would say a 'big thank' you to Romford Evangelical Church for caring enough about us Londoners, to raise the funds for the Bridgwater Road Church'