Comments on: Irene Stride Remembers Spitalfields

By: gordon aldrick

gordon aldrick — Thu, 03 Jan 2019 21:57:56 +0000

Around 2012 I first visited Brick Lane first to see a large Islamic Exhibition at the former Truman’s Brewery. I discovered an immediate attraction to the area,and subsequently returned to visit Christ Church. I was eating some sandwiches there when someone,perhaps the Rector,came along and we had a chat about the organ which was then still an empty case. Fortunately the
organ is now restored and I have two CD’srecorded on it. Partly as an historian I love this area and frequently encourage academics in Oxford – from all over the world – to visit it.

By: rosemary campbell

rosemary campbell — Mon, 26 Nov 2018 22:00:12 +0000

What an amazing article by Irene. My former husband was deputy warden of the Crypt in the 70’s and so we knew Irene and Eddy and family well. So sorry to hear today that Irene died on 10th November but I hope to travel down to Christ Church, Spitalfields for a Thanksgiving Service at 3pm on Saturday 15th December. A lovely lady.

By: FAY WHEELER

FAY WHEELER — Sun, 18 Nov 2018 13:39:18 +0000

My husband and I ran the Scout group at St Mary’s where I was the Cub Scout leader. One evening the hall caught fire. I evacuated the boys and ran to the church where Eddy was in a prayer meeting with the church leaders. I breathlessly told them about the fire. Eddy looked up from his prayer and said Oh don’t worry, Fay always exaggerates just call the fire service. and went back to his prayer. How cool can you be! There was in fact only minimal damage to the hall and Eddy rolled up his sleeves to help clean up the mess. Irene and Eddy were simply the best living out their faith and making Jesus known.

By: alan reeve

alan reeve — Wed, 29 Aug 2018 09:20:22 +0000

I often think back to St. Marys Dagenham & the Stride family. Eddie was a wonderful example of how to show compassion & the love of God to everyone he met. A true disciple if ever I met one.

By: Janet Kiddier

Janet Kiddier — Mon, 07 Aug 2017 08:03:32 +0000

A little-known step in how the Strides ended up at Christchurch is that my Dad met Eddy in South Ockendon, Dad was writing a sign for Eddy’s church. They got to know each other and Dad suggested Eddy look into becoming vicar of St Mary’s Dagenham. The Strides did come to Dagenham before moving to Spitalfields to minister there …

By: James Nzokah

James Nzokah — Mon, 06 Mar 2017 00:52:06 +0000

Amazing story and hope Irene and husband Rev Eddy Stride can still remember me. My name is James Nzokah (previously from Machakos, Kenya) and currently a University College Professor here in Seattle, Washington state, USA. I came to know Irene and Rev Eddy Stride in “1980s” when I arrived with a ferry from Düsseldorf, Germany to London. Irene and her Reverend husband were kind enough to accommodate me for several weeks before getting a maintenance job in a Christian Hostel, in South East, London.

In retrospect, after that I attended a private Christian English School in Bournemouth before attending a College known as Capernwray College/ Capernwray Hall, Carnforth LA6 1AG, UK

Then, whilst attending College there met an American female student (i.e.: Sherri) who invited me to visit her in the states. Then after being friends for several years then she become my wife and thus God blessed us with a beautiful daughter called Alethia, a 26 year old and now a mother of 2 with our 2 grand children.
For what it’s worth, that marriage lasted for 10 years and then divorced and re-remarried to a beautiful Asian American woman called Maribellah. Hence, grateful for being blessed with 2 sons, a 14 year old Quincy and a 7 year old Vincent.

Based on these facts, hope Irene can still remember me and since used to write to each other for a while whilst attending a University College in California, USA.

Also, we own a technical Academy (Website: Trainusit.com) and our address is: James and Maribellah Nzokah, 720 E Fairhaven Avenue#186, Burlington, WA 98273, USA and Phone: 1+360-899-4392

By: David

David — Mon, 28 Dec 2015 11:51:20 +0000

I remember Eddy and Irene at St. Mary’s Dagenham and I went to Grafton Junior School with their son Stephen. Eddy was a bit of a celebrity and was often on television in the late 60’s and early 70’s. I remember Eddy leaving St. Mary’s to take up his new ministry as Stephen left Grafton. Co-incidentally we both took up careers in social housing and I know he’s still active in this regard. I’ve retired through ill health but maintain an interest. I spent a number of years working in the docks and for LB Tower Hamlets and still have a great affection for the area.

By: robert cooper

robert cooper — Thu, 09 Apr 2015 19:17:26 +0000

Great to be linked to this article via the Spitalfields Crypt Trust website. I worked at the Crypt 1970-71 and lived in the flat at the top of Irene and Eddie’s Rectory for some of that time. I also took several of the photographs used with this article, including the one of the Eagle Tap House that Bob Land mentions above. None of us imagine our pictures becoming history, but they do – and this one was taken less than 50 years ago!

The Crypt was an amazing place to work. Inspiring colleagues like the Strides, Ronnie Rourke and Millie Delaney and so many characters who put up with underground life, including the darkness brought on by power strikes – they taught me lessons about life that I’m still absorbing.

By: Marie mccartney

Marie mccartney — Tue, 17 Feb 2015 22:54:28 +0000

I remember Eddie and Irene well when my mum in law also cooked for the men. We attended the church in Hanbury street and our children were baptised there. We often had breakfast in the Rectory. I remember chickens in the garden. They were such a lovely couple and I was sorry to lose touch. They were so committed to the people of the parish and it was a pleasure to have known them. Great to know that Irene is well though sorry to hear that Eddie has died. Another member of the church at the time was Isabel Barker who was a friend of Dennis Severs. She often had breakfast with him in The Market Cafe. I remember many of the men in the Crypt. They were often Scottish or Irish. We could relate to them because of our common birthplaces. I remember painting eggs at Easter to give each man one on Easter Sunday. Good to hear that Derek and Tej are still in the area. Strangely enough I still have a connection with Spitalfields as I do a market stall there weekly.

By: Suzie Weston

Suzie Weston — Tue, 27 Jan 2015 21:50:50 +0000

I remember Eddie and Irene and family from when I was Jack Wallace’s secretary on Lincolns Inn. I was at St Mark’s Church, Victoria Park with Ted Roberts, David and Jean Hewitt. I was on the Executive Committee of The Festival of Light. Many fond memories of those times. Eddie was one of my hero’s. A truly wonderful man.