Crescent Hall, Hall Lane (EHER 81712)

Built 1875, designed by T.A. Cressy, for Robert Warner (foundry owner). Later known as the ‘Institute’ it seems to have served as a works canteen (for the foundry) by day and for adult education in the evenings. It is labelled ‘Mission Hall’ on OS third edition. It is now a Baptist Church.

Crescent House was built in 1875, designed by T.A. Cressy, for Robert Warner (foundry owner). Later known as the ‘Institute’ it seems to have served as a works canteen (for the foundry) by day and for adult education in the evenings. It is labelled ‘Mission Hall’ on OS third edition <1>. It is now a Baptist Church. John Warner, a bell-founder with a foundry in East London from 1790s, and later a resident of Hoddesdon, Herts, built East Terrace in Walton in 1836 as a property on the coast where he and his family could get away from London for healthy air and sea-bathing. John’s son Robert took over the business on the death in 1869 of his elder brother who had inherited the business. The Walton ‘Crescent’ Foundry was built between 1871 and 1872 to produce a variety of machinery including wind pumps, portable boilers, steam engines and machinery for rubber plantations. At its peak Robert Warner and Co.’s engineering works provided the main employment in the town, having 300 staff. Robert took an interest in his staff’s welfare and built a number of houses on various sites close to the foundry, which eventually closed in 1921. Also built were Broomfield Gardens (EHER 40604) Canada Gardens (40605) and First Avenue (40606). <2>