The Church of St Mary in St Mary Cray is an ancient building with a rich history, stretching back to the 13th century. It sits on the edge of the High Street, just a few steps from the River Cray. This church is more than just a place of worship. It has witnessed the changing face of St Mary Cray over centuries. The Romans and Saxons left behind their mark on the area. Excavations in the 1960s revealed Roman and Saxon remains in the Fordcroft area. This evidence shows just how deeply rooted the local history is. The village thrived as a market town, granted the privilege by King Edward I to hold a market on Wednesdays. The small population relied heavily on fruit farms and hopfields. However, the village faced a major tragedy in 1906 when a group of firefighters perished during an outing known as the Handcross Hill Disaster. You can see their memorial nearby. During World War II, St Mary Cray was heavily affected by bombing raids. While the church itself was spared, many cottages were destroyed in a bombing raid. The Church of St Mary in St Mary Cray is woven into the very fabric of this community. It is not merely a place of worship; it is a living testament to the resilience and spirit of this historic South East London area.
Southfields Methodist Church
Curiosity stirred within the heart of Southfields as a new chapter began. Southfields Methodist Church held its first public service