Modern Britain

Chigwell & Hainault Synagogue is on the eastern side of Limes Avenue on the Limes Avenue Estate. The synagogue was formed in 1968 when the thriving community, which had met in a house in Chigwell for five years, merged with the well-established Hainault community which was founded in 1950. In 2007 they celebrated their thirtieth anniversary at the Limes Avenue address, with around 750 members more than tripling the number they had when they arrived.

Hainault Baptist Church lies on the western side of Franklyn Gardens, which is also on the western side of the railway at Hainault. The church was started in 1938, and during the war meetings were held in the pavilion of a playing field and then in the home of a member. A tent mission resulted in a large increase in membership immediately after the war, a minister was appointed, and in 1948 the present church was built in this quiet side road off New North Road.

The Catholic Church of the Assumption is on the southern side of Manford Way, midway between the opposing junctions of Fallow Close and Tuffer Road in Hainault on the eastern side of the railway. The church was founded in 1952 after a loan was secured a loan to buy its first manse, and the Reverend Ralph Ashmore began an active preaching and pastoral ministry. The completed red brick building was opened in 1953, with the first service being held in November.

The Sanctuary Christian Fellowship utilises the Hainault Forest Community Association buildings at 100b Manford Way, adjacent to the Catholic church and divided from it by the local library. The buildings are not dedicated to the church, and like most buildings in this area they date to the early 1950s construction boom which created the housing estate here. The only sign that The Sanctuary meets here are the banners on the main fence.

Kingdom Hall of Jehovah's Witnesses is also on the southern side of Manford Way, a little way east of The Sanctuary and almost opposite Fernie Close, part of the estate which was built here to replace the many East End houses that were destroyed during the Second World War. The London Barkingside Congregation, a large Jehovah's Witness community, made its base here and put up this building, which is a little more attractive than their standard modern red brick box halls.