Description
All Saints Church was formerly Chingford parish church, erected on a site of worship probably in use since Norman times. By 1710 its name had been changed to St Peter and St Paul, but it ceased to be used when it became structurally unsafe and a new parish church was built on Chingford Green. By the early C20th the old church had become derelict, known as ‘The Green Church’ due to its dense ivy-cladding, and an inspiration to artists. When new housing was built in the area, the church was re-built in 1928 and once more took its old name of All Saints. It has a small churchyard.
Practical Information
| Previously known as | Chingford Parish Church; St Peter and St Paul; Chingford Old Church |
|---|---|
| Site location | Old Church Road/Mount Road, Chingford Mount |
| Postcode | E4 |
| What3Words | ///dots.goods.league |
| Type of Site | Churchyard |
| Borough | Waltham Forest |
| Open to Public | Yes |
| Opening Times | unrestricted |
| Public Transport | Rail: Chingford; Walthamstow Central then bus. Tube: Walthamstow Central (Victoria) then bus. Bus: 97, 215. |
| Research Updated | 22 July 2021 |
| Last Updated | 18 October 2026 |
Full description
The origination of the word Chingford is Saxon, meaning 'ford dwellers by the stumps', referring to pile dwellings in the marshland on the River Lea. The Dean and Chapter of St Paul’s owned the church in the C12th, from which time the north wall may date. The C13th saw the addition of the south aisle and arcade, the C14th the tower, and the C16th a porch. All Saints was recorded as the name of the church by 1397 but by 1710 its name had been changed to St Peter and St Paul. It had to be abandoned as the parish church in the C19th when it became structurally unsafe, purportedly as a result of graves being dug too near the walls, and of the late C17th heightening of the south wall of the aisle which increased the weight of the brickwork by 52 tons. A new parish church of St Peter and St Paul’s (q.v.) was built on Chingford Green in 1844. The old church was used less and less and gradually became derelict; in 1904 part of the nave roof collapsed. It became known as ‘The Green Church’ due to its dense ivy-cladding, and was an inspiration for numerous artists including the Pre-Raphaelite Arthur Hughes, who featured the churchyard in his painting ‘Home from Sea’.
When new housing development was taking place in the area in the C20th, in 1928-30 the church was re-built and once more took its old name of All Saints; the work cost £6,000 and was paid for by Miss Louisa Heathcote of Friday Hill House (q.v.), daughter of the Rector who had financed the new parish church. The architect was C C Winmill who kept much of the early church, such as the C13th arch in the south wall, and re-used old stone where possible. Three bells in the tower, dating from 1626, 1657 and 1835, had been removed to St Peter and St Paul’s but were restored to All Saints in 1929. All Saints became a chapel-of-ease to St Peter and St Paul.
The charming small churchyard is separated from the roadway by an embankment wall, and contains gravestones and a few chest tombs, one of which is flanked by yews, and there are memorials to the Heathcote family. Adjacent and south of the churchyard on Chingford Mount Road is a small public garden known as Good Memorial Garden (q.v.).
When new housing development was taking place in the area in the C20th, in 1928-30 the church was re-built and once more took its old name of All Saints; the work cost £6,000 and was paid for by Miss Louisa Heathcote of Friday Hill House (q.v.), daughter of the Rector who had financed the new parish church. The architect was C C Winmill who kept much of the early church, such as the C13th arch in the south wall, and re-used old stone where possible. Three bells in the tower, dating from 1626, 1657 and 1835, had been removed to St Peter and St Paul’s but were restored to All Saints in 1929. All Saints became a chapel-of-ease to St Peter and St Paul.
The charming small churchyard is separated from the roadway by an embankment wall, and contains gravestones and a few chest tombs, one of which is flanked by yews, and there are memorials to the Heathcote family. Adjacent and south of the churchyard on Chingford Mount Road is a small public garden known as Good Memorial Garden (q.v.).
Further Information
| Grid Reference | TQ373934 |
|---|---|
| Size in hectares | 0.26 |
| Site Ownership | Church |
| Site Management | Urbaser Ltd as part of the Street Care and Associated Services contract with LBWF |
| Dates | C12th |
| Listed Structures | LBII*: All Saints Church |
| On National Heritage List for England (NHLE), Parks & Gardens | No |
| Registered common or village green on Commons Registration Act 1965 | No |
| Protected under London Squares Preservation Act 1931 | No |
| Local Authority | Waltham Forest |
| In Conservation Area | No |
| Tree Preservation Order | No |
| Nature Conservation Area | No |
| Green Belt | No |
| Metropolitan Open Land | No |
| Special Policy Area | No |
Gallery
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Nearby parks and gardens
This small public garden is on a piece of land adjacent to Chingford Old Church (q.v.). At the entrance on the corner of Priory Avenue and Old Church Road is a granite plaque inscribed in gold lettering: 'GOOD MEMORIAL GARDEN, Presented to Chingford Urban District Council by the sons of Mr Thomas Good on the death of their father in 1932'. Steps lead up to the raised garden, which has rose beds, paths and a few small trees.
Chingford Mount Cemetery was set up by the non-conformist Abney Park Cemetery Company in 1884 when its cemetery in Hackney had become congested. The site purchased was Caroline's Mount or the Mount Caroline Estate, so-called after the wife of the land owner. In 1975 new owners wished to build housing on part of the unused land but this proposal was opposed and the cemetery subsequently became neglected and its chapel and lodges vandalised. In 1977 it was acquired by LB Waltham Forest. The gates at the western main entrance survive from the C19th layout, with a short avenue lined by mature London plane trees, and the cemetery is densely planted with mature trees.
Where Mansfield Park is situated used to be communal grazing and hay-cropping land, the name Mansfield deriving from an Anglo-Saxon word meaning land held in common. The park is entered at the brow of Mansfield Hill through ornamental iron gates, the design incorporating the park's name and two leaping deer. It opens onto a grassed area with a number of trees planted either side of a central path, which leads through a gateway to the rolling hillside beyond. The park has fine views across William Girling Reservoir.
