Hornchurch

The Aniquary (isssue of Nov. 4th, 1871, p. 169) reports on the re-opening of this 12th-century church "after complete restoration […] A new font also of Caen stone (entirely the gift of mothers) stands at the west end of the church. On the font are to be represented the prophets." [NB: the entry does not mention the fate of the older font]. Holy-water stoup noted in the Royal Commission on Historical Monuments (Essex, 1916-1923): "On tower--S. of W. doorway, with stone jambs and segmented brick head, now filled in, 15th-century, repaired in the 16th century." Although the fabric of the church goes back to the 13th century, the RCHM entry does not mention a font in this church [the RCHM does not list post-1714 objects]; we have no information on the original font of this church]. The Victoria County History (Essex, vol. 7, 1978) notes: "The 'church of Havering', i.e. St. Andrew's, Hornchurch, existed by 1163, when Henry II gave it to the newly-founded priory of Hornchurch. [...] Nothing now survives of the church granted to Hornchurch priory in 1163: it seems to have been completely rebuilt in the 13th century. [...] n 1719 there was a marble font with a black-letter inscription. [...] It may have survived until 1817, when it was replaced by a stone one. [...] which in turn was replaced by a wooden one in 1970."