Church of St Helen and St Giles

St Helen and St Giles is a Norman church in Rainham, the oldest building in the London Borough of Havering. It stands near the River Ingrebourne on land once owned by Richard de Lucy, who founded the church between 1160 and 1170. The building still shows its original round-headed arches and closely resembles its 12th-century appearance. A major restoration between 1893 and 1906 used Freemasons’ donations yet kept the medieval character intact. Richard de Lucy also helped plan the murder of Thomas Becket in 1170. The Rectory Manor, also called Parsonage Farm, began as part of Rainham Manor before King Henry II gave it to Lesnes Abbey in 1178. After Henry VIII closed the monasteries the manor passed to Cardinal Wolsey, then to Sir Robert Southwell, and later to five Londoners. In 1714 William Blackborrne of Hornchurch joined Rectory Manor with Jordans Manor and left both to his grandson Levett Blackborne, a barrister at Lincoln’s Inn. Today the church sits beside the old Rectory Manor farm buildings in a quiet corner of Rainham. Inside, the round arches and simple Norman lines remain clearly visible. The farm’s weathered barns and house still stand a short walk away, recalling the estate’s long history. The Ingrebourne valley nearby offers quiet paths for walking, with views across the old manor lands.