Churches across Chelmsford Diocese mark 80th anniversary of VE Day

12 May 2025

View photos of the celebrations below

Chelmsford Cathedral

Chelmsford Cathedral hosted a special VE Day service on Friday 9th May 2025. It was a moving and memorable occasion shared with many people in the community. Led by the Dean of Chelmsford, The Very Revd Dr Jessica Martin, the service featured readings given by special guests, music performed by the Cathedral Choir and a procession of standards.

All Saints, Cranham

All Saints, Cranham held an indoor street party, which had a fantastic turnout. The church was decorated with bunting, flags and flowers which will remain in place until Victory in Japan (VJ) Day on 15 August. A candle was lit at their VE Day service which will burn until VJ Day.

St John's, Buckhurst Hill

St John's, Buckhurst Hill collaborated with Buckhurst Hill Parish Council on a special community tea party to commemorate VE Day. The event was filled with singing, dancing, and delicious food.

"We are particularly grateful to all of those who volunteered their skills and time to create this memorable day. Bless you all."

"The children from year 3 at St John's school started the party with a lively sing off. Then the St John's Toetappers took over with an afternoon of classic songs."

Watch a video of their tea party here.

St Mary the Virgin, Matching

Andrew Barnard, who is a PCC member at St Mary's Matching spoke to the BBC ahead of a service held on Sunday in a Nissen Hut on the former US Airforce Base at Matching Green near Harlow. 

The base was built for the US 391st Bombardment Group, and was home to 2,000 men between 1942 and 1945.

Andrew who is Chair of the commemoration committee at St Mary's told the BBC:

"It was just a rural, agricultural village – very typical for this part of East Anglia – and for a period of three years it was transformed."

"At one stage it had up to 2,000 men living there, at times in very adverse conditions, constructing the site and living in tents in freezing conditions, but the pressure was on to finish the project in advance of D-Day," 

"We think it is really important to remember the sacrifices that were made to allow us to live in a free and democratic society today."

The service was attended by 450 people including the Lord Lieutenant of Essex, the US Air Force Air attaché from the American Embassy, Chaplain and officers from RAF Lakenheath, branches of the royal British legion, cadets and Combined Cadet Force members plus the 1st Moreton and Fyfield Scouts.

• Read more on the BBC News website