A historian estimates that the population of Walthamstow almost doubled before the turn of the last century and the numerous churches that sprang up tell a story of a time of great change.

As the previously small town population "expoloded" in the late 1800s, there was a fear that the newcomers, seeking work from more rural areas, would be ‘un-churched’ so a campaign was launched to build 15 new churches over a 20 year period.

“Everybody was new,” said Neil Houghton, 51, Chairman of the Walthamstow Historical Society, “No-one had been there more than ten years. I can’t really imagine what that must have been like.”

Mr Houghton, says churches built by the Church of England were often funded by individuals, like St. Michaels in Northcote Road (1885) and St Saviour's in Markhouse Road (1874) which were paid for by William Foster, a wealthy merchant.

Churches of other denominations were commonly built by the often working class congregation themselves, marked by the initials carved into the bricks to show who had paid a penny for each one.

The new churches became the heart and soul of communities, giving total strangers a place to meet and get to know their neighbours.

“It was the logical way of getting to know people. The church built a social network,” said Mr Houghton.

Shernhall Methodist Church, in Shernhall Street, which was demolished in late 1970s and replaced with a smaller building, is a good example of this because it had a gym club as part of the church.

Cricket clubs, debating societies and drama clubs were all going on in the numerous churches that brought people together.

Mr Houghton is giving a talk on this subject with Father Steven Saxby of St Barnabis Church, on Thursday 24 October at 7.30pm at the Trinity United Reformed Church hall in Orford Road Walthamstow.

There is a charge of £1.50 for guests; free for members of the Walthamstow Historical Society