A mosaic of a former East London landmark which was damaged by bombing in the Second World War is set to be installed on the site where it stood this week.
The artwork depicts a former Wesleyan Chapel in East Street in Barking, which then became a new Central Hall in 1928 thanks to funding from British movie mogul and Methodist J. Arthur Rank.
Artist Tamara Froud will be creating the artwork at Short Blue Place, the site of the old hall, as part of Barking Heritage Project’s heritage trail – which is funded by The National Lottery Heritage Fund and managed by Be First, Barking and Dagenham Council’s regeneration organisation.
Tamara said: “This is the first of a series of mosaics I will be creating to celebrate Barking’s rich history – hopefully people will be inspired and discover more about local heritage through the artwork.”
Simone Panayi, Be First Heritage Officer, who was born and bred in Barking, said: “The hall was a real landmark. It’s fantastic we are starting our heritage trail by resurrecting the memory of such an important historic building for the community on the site where it stood for so many years. It’s a comeback Rank Films would be proud of!”
The hall seated 1500 people and as well as worship it could be used as an entertainment venue, managed as part of the alcohol-free Temperance movement.
During World War Two War damage claims and salvaged furniture were dealt with at Central Hall.
It was hit by a V2 rocket in 1945 and partially destroyed.
The whole building was demolished after the war, around 1951.
