Ever wondered how Hornchurch got its unusual name? It is not as obvious as you might think. Let me tell you more about this fascinating place.
Hornchurch is a suburban town in East London. It is part of the London Borough of Havering. Hornchurch is located 15.2 miles east-northeast of Charing Cross. It features shopping streets and residential areas. Hornchurch historically formed a large parish in Essex. It became part of Greater London in 1965.
The name Hornchurch was first recorded in English in 1233 as Hornechurch. It means church with horn-like gables. Some suggest the name comes from Hornchurch Priory. The Priory used a bulls-head seal on documents in the 14th century. The bull emblem on St Andrew’s Church wall dates from around 1600. The emblem derives from the name. It does not provide the origin.
Hornchurch’s history stretches back to the Anglian Ice Age. About 450000 years ago the ice sheet reached The Dell. The Dell is south of St Andrew’s Church. It was the furthest south any ice reached in Britain. Stone Age, Bronze Age, and Iron Age artifacts have been found here. Roman remains also indicate an ancient settlement.
In 1158/9 Henry II gave 1500 acres of southern Hornchurch to Great St Bernard Hospice in Savoy. Hornchurch Priory was established. In 1163 St Andrew’s Church and land were given to the priory. A house was built north of the church. The priory lands totaled around 1900 acres. The priory claimed spiritual authority within the ancient parish. In 1379 Parliament authorized the king to confiscate property of religious houses supporting the Avignon Papacy. In 1385 the priory members left. The property was seized. William of Wykeham bought the lands in 1391 for New College, Oxford. The priory site became Hornchurch Hall.
Hornchurch Marsh was used for cattle grazing. It became popular with London butchers and inn owners. By the 19th century, it was known for quality cattle. Havering was a leather production center from the 13th to 16th centuries. The high street was called Pell Street reflecting the leather trade. A brewery operated in Hornchurch from 1789 to 1929.
Railway stations opened in Harold Wood in 1868 and Hornchurch in 1885. These stations were some distance from the village. They did not initially encourage housebuilding.
In 1886 authorities purchased 80 acres for Hornchurch cottage homes. These opened in 1889. In 1897 Hornchurch had a population of 4200. It was a large village. Growth from rural village to suburban town began in 1895. 200 acres of Nelmes manor were sold for the Emerson Park housing estate.
Hornchurch grew quickly between the wars. Workers migrated from inner London. The electric District Railway service encouraged this from 1932. Cheap agricultural land was available for development. Hornchurch’s population grew 335% from 1921 to 1938.
During both World Wars, Hornchurch Airfield was an important RAF station. During World War I, it was RAF Suttons Farm. During World War II, it was RAF Hornchurch. It housed Spitfire squadrons. The land is now a housing development and Hornchurch Country Park.
Today Hornchurch is a vibrant suburban center. It balances its rich history with modern life. From its intriguing name to its vital role in wartime, Hornchurch is a place of stories. Take a walk around. Discover the layers of history beneath your feet.