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The earliest mention of Woodford dates from before the conquest; in 1062 the manor of Wodeforda was granted to the Abbey of Waltham, which retained it until the dissolution in 1540. A church existed by the late 12th century.

Read the 1876 description of Woodford in Handbook to The Environs of London...

The first church print dates from 1791 showing the current west tower. In 1816 Parliament passed an act for 'enlarging, improving, and repairing the church'. On completion of the work - at a cost of £3000 - the Bishop of London dedicated the church, and 1209 poor persons were fed. In 1891 enlargement was necessary to accommodate the expanding population.

Church Halls

On the afternoon of Sunday, February 9th, 1969 the church was destroyed by fires which had been lit in five places. The silver, some vestments, and the registers dating back to 1558, were saved from the flames. While the building lay in ruins, services were held in the Memorial Hall, and the congregation became aware that 'the real church - themselves - had not been destroyed'.

The church contains interesting memorials dating back to the 17th century, showing the level of involvement in international trade.  Woodford's history also contains a reminder of less tolerant times. Blessed John Larke, Rector in the 1520s, was martyred at Tyburn in 1544 for refusing to acknowledge Henry VIII's supremacy in matters of religion.