Barking Revival 100th anniversary celebrated at event

Barking and Dagenham mayor Cllr Princess Bright-Olaifa, joined Cllr Cameron Geddes and creative residents to celebrate.

The event acknowledged a significant Christian evangelistic mission.

Danny Baxter with artist Susanna Wallis holding a tile mosaic she made for the project (Image: Danny Baxter)

This saw revival minister Stephen Jeffreys lead a gathering from January 18 to February 15, 1925, held at the former Barking Bath House.

This revival was attended by thousands, was reported to have had around 1,000 Christian conversions and several miraculous healings.

The event reportedly led to the establishment of several churches.

Local newspapers held on microfilm within the archives of the local studies department of the Valence House museum (Image: Danny Baxter)

These include Barking Elim and City Gates, which celebrated the centenary of their congregations in May and November.

The ceremony featured speeches by the mayor and Danny Baxter, the lead artist on the Barking Revival project.

Poets Sarina Mantle, Lesley Casson, and Robert Drury presented their works, crafted for the project, and the Dagenham Rhythms Community Choir performed.

The foundation stone of the former Barking Baths across from the town hall, and beside it a facsimile of the local newspaper reports of the Barking Revival created by Danny (Image: Danny Baxter)

The event concluded with a group photo of the attendees holding up the Barking Revival flag.

This flag was designed by Mr Baxter to honour both the centenary of the revival and the regeneration occurring in Barking today.