Archbishop of Canterbury to visit Romford March 9

05 February 2010

Archbishop of Canterbury Dr Rowan Williams

THE most senior member of the Church of England is to pay a special visit to Havering to mark the joint anniversaries of the borough's oldest church and school.

Leader of the Anglican church Archbishop of Canterbury Dr Rowan Williams will mark the 600th anniversary of St Edward the Confessor Church in Romford Marketplace with an evening sermon, on Tuesday March 9.

St Edward priest Rev Stephen Waine, 50, approached Dr Williams three years ago about the visit, which was finally confirmed in the autumn.

Rev Waine, who has headed St Edward the Confessor Church for 15 years, said: "I'm very pleased and honoured that the Archbishop will spend the whole day with us in Romford.

"We are all enormously privileged."

Rev Waine broke the news to his congregation on Sunday (January 24) - who he said were "greatly excited" by the visit.

Before preaching, Dr Williams will spend the day visiting students at both St Edward's Church of England Primary School in Havering Road, and St Edward's Church of England Secondary and Sixth Form College, in London Road - which celebrates its 300th anniversary this year.

Deputy headteacher of the senior school, Ian Raper, said: "Obviously we are all looking forward to it. It is a wonderful opportunity for us to show him the school and the ongoing anniversary celebrations."

He added the Archbishop would tour the school and visit pupils in class.

Leader of Havering Council, Cllr Michael White, said: "St Edwards has a long and proud history and this is a wonderful tribute to its 300 anniversary of providing children with excellent education."

The Archbishop will also take time out to visit Havering Police, where he will be given a guided tour of police patrol base, Jack Brown House, in Spilsby Road, Harold Hill, by force Chaplain Rev Barbara Dennis.

Rev Waine added: "The visit is not just a special celebration, but a great opportunity for him to talk to our students and police officers."

Dr Williams will dedicate a stone tablet to the school and the church during his stay.

A spokesman at Lambeth Palace confirmed the Archbishop's visit.