In last month’s Hemel News, we shared a historical photo of the hostel built for construction workers of Adeyfield in the 1940s.
Adeyfield was the first post-Second World War planned neighbourhood to be built in Hemel Hempstead, as part of the government’s restoration strategy to rebuild war-torn towns across the UK.
It was close to the designated new industrial area and was centred around The Square, a shopping area in the centre of the town. Additionally, there was a community centre and a public house, named The New Venture to signify a fresh start for the incoming families. It was in this square that the Church of St Barnabas was built.
Local resident Irene St George contacted Hemel News after recognising the image featured last month. Irene had discovered a flyer from the opening ceremony of the Church of Saint Barnabas in her mother’s belongings.
The then Princess Elizabeth was invited to Hemel to lay the first stone of the church; however, the date had to be pushed back when her father King George VI passed away in February 1952.
Despite now having the responsibility of a monarch, Her Majesty the late Queen Elizabeth II kept her promise to visit the town and attended the celebrations on Sunday, July 20, 1952. The John Dickinson (Apsley) Band played in the church enclosure beside the square, and several serving RAF pilots were given a special 24-hour pass to attend the ceremony.
Before laying the stone, the late Queen met the county’s Lord-Lieutenant, the High Sheriff, and the Mayor and town clerk of Hemel Hempstead.
Mayor and Bailiff Herbert Christopher introduced the Queen to the chairman of the Hemel Hempstead Development Corporation, who also accompanied the Queen on her tour of the New Town.
The Queen also met The Lord Bishop of the Diocese, Dr Michael Gresford-Jones D. D, who introduced Her Majesty to various archdeacons and vicars from the surrounding areas.
The area in which the church was built was later renamed and is still called The Queen’s Square.
So next time you’re walking through The Queen’s Square, make sure you take a look at St Barnabas Church, and remember its important place in Hemel Hempstead’s history.
Do you have any memories or historical photos of Hemel Hempstead? Please send them to us via email at newsroom@mynewsmag.co.uk
Photo Credit: Herts Archives
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