Silver End Congregational Church
On 21st January 1931 the Church was formally constituted with a membership of 58. After three years of devoted service which involved great labour, and had demanded much love and patience the Rev. G.C.Lambert tendered his resignation and closed his ministry on 27th March 1932. Three months later the Rev. James A. Lawson of Stambourne accepted a call to the pastorate. Mr Lawson was keenly interested in the Boys Brigade, and due to his enthusiasm and leadership there developed a strong Company. Work amongst the girls was not forgotten and the 1st Silver End Company of the Girls Life Brigade was formed. After three years Mr. Lawson suffered a breakdown in health and resigned. It must be recorded that during his ministry the Sisterhood presented to the Church a Silver Bowl for use at Baptisms.
The Rev. C. W. Wall was called to the pastorate, and commenced his ministry in October 1935. In the early days of 1936 a big scheme was placed before the Church - it was for the erection of a large hall to accommodate the Sunday School. Mr P. E. Brand of Clacton was approached, and plans were prepared for building a hall on to the existing buildings. This necessitated the removal of the rear wall, and replacing it with folding doors. Improvements were also made to the interior of the Church, and pews replaced the chairs which were required for use in the new hall. The cost of this was £1,000 and it was mainly due to the efforts of the Minister who travelled far and wide to raise money that the building was opened by Mr J. W. Moss of Frinton on 28th September 1936 free of debt. Dr. S. M. Berry, M. A. , Secretary of the Congregational Union was the special preacher. At about the same time the present organ - (a two Manual ) was purchased. The work of the Church prospered, and a strong Christian Endeavour Society was found in its midst. The Mid-Essex C. E. Union honoured the Society and its Minister by calling Mr. Wall to the office of President of the Union in 1938. At the end of January 1939 Mr Wall accepted a call to Southampton much to the regret of many friends in Silver End.
At the time of Mr. Walls departure no one foresaw what big changes would take place in the life of the nation within the next few months. On Easter Sunday the Rev. Edgar Jones commenced his ministry at Silver End, and before he had time to get settled down, the circumstances of war wrought many changes. Black-Out, Night Work - the calling up of young men all contributed to the curtailment of the work of the Church. It was most unfortunate that these things should be, for it was a great set back, and had its effects upon the health of the Minister. At the end of 1942 Mr Jones accepted a call to Woodham Ferrers
For thirteen months the Church was without a minister, and much work fell upon the shoulders of Mr. A. H. Chapman who for most of that time held the office of Secretary as well as Church Treasurer, and Mr. G.W. Richer the senior deacon. Mention must be made of the labours of officers during these twenty-one years. At first, there were several changes due to removals from the village. Mr. G. W. Richer has been in office as Supt. of the School since the early days, and Mr. G. W. Sharpe served as Secretary for 11 years. Of the present officers - Mr. G. N. Butler has been Treasurer since 1946 and Mr. Loads took over the position as Secretary in 1948.
On the opposite side of the road to the church you will find a GPO plate
In the top right of the plate there are two numbers "AB" and the bottom right has two more "CD"
N51 (A-C)(C).(C)(A/2)(B/2) E00 (A/2)(B-C).(B/2)(A-C)(C)
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