Paradise Chapel/Congregational Church Milton Regis

[grandarog]

Don't think you will have much chance of contact on here Simon has not been on for 4 years.

[Xxfamilyxx]

Aww that's a shame I was hoping for information
Thank you
Linda

[SearchingForParadise]

Hi Linda thanks for the post i've just had an email prompt with your reply.... we'd love any information you have about The Manse especially any early photos if there are any in your family archives  Regards Simon

[grandarog]

That was lucky Simon had the prompt system set up.

[Xxfamilyxx]

Hi Simon
I'm going to ask other family members for photos if any are around . My daughter drove passed number 48 last week and started asking questions , there are none of the brothers left now they've all died ,they were a big family of men and 1 sister one of which was my dad ,I'm not sure if I am allowed to put names on this site . Did you buy the house in 1975 ?
Linda

[SearchingForParadise]

Hi Linda we purchased one of the flats at auction in 2009 as an investment and as others were put up for sale bought them and eventually the freehold !! at some point in 1975 the building was divided into 4 units i do have the original Leases i believe the surname " Bird " was on all of them i would assume that was the builder/developer, we are on another project at the moment but as soon as we're back at The Manse we have plans to give the building back its period look hence our quest for photos !! Regards Simon

[Xxfamilyxx]

I don't know the surname Bird but my family were the Homden's but perhaps the surname of Mills was on the deeds that was my aunt's married name I've been asking but no one has come up with any photo's I do temember the lay out sort of the kitchen ,parlour as it was called , there was a cellar attic rooms . My dad only had one picture of the garden with my man and grandad I've asked my sister if she has it , there were tennis courts with they sold to the council maybe in the 60's and they used to breed rabbits and chickens a big allotment and a big lawned garden

[SearchingForParadise]

Thanks Linda ....I would think at some point part of the land was sold off to form the unmade road that links the new houses on Larkfield Avenue with Beechwood Avenue !! it now has a modest rear garden. It does have a partial cellar, no attic rooms though...During modernisation of the " less than professional !!! " flat conversion we did uncover original printed wall paper that had been boarded over and when excavating under the ground floor i uncovered a stone cross that i will eventually incorporate into the perimeter walling as a feature !! please let me know if any photos materialise we were hoping that some wide angle wedding shots from the church might come to light showing how the front looked in its heyday 

[Xxfamilyxx]

Hi Simon
I wish I could help with the photos in those days not a lot of photos were taken but someone in my family must have some I will keep trying
Linda