Almost all that remains of the old Abbey buildings is
the Curfew Tower or Fire Bell Gate (rebuilt about 1460), with its 12th or
early 13th-century stone rood in the upper storey chapel. The Tower is a
symbol of Barking featuring in the Coat of Arms for the old Borough of
Barking (now on display in St Margaret's Church) and the current Coat of
Arms for the London Borough of Barking and Dagenham.
The Curfew Tower was the central one of three gateways
to the Abbey and is the only part of the Abbey still standing. There is no
evidence of the Curfew being rung here although a small bell may have been
used to summon parishioners to services before the Church Bell Tower was
built in the late 15th Century.
The Tower was built in 1370 and rebuilt or
reconstructed in 1460. The Tower contains The Chapel of the Holy Rood, given
this name because of the stone Rood on the east wall. The Rood dates back to
at least the 12th century and at one time was probably fixed to an outside
wall of the Abbey, hence the damage to the Rood itself. The Holy Rood, a
stone representation of the crucifixion, has the figure of Christ in the
centre with St Mary and St John on either side. The Holy Rood has been the
object of pilgrimage and veneration from late medieval times. Apparently
special indulgencies were granted to those making the pilgrimage. Shields in
the corners of the Chapel are those of the Abbey, The Archbishop of
Canterbury, the Bishop of Chelmsford and Barking Borough Council.
In 1955/56 repairs were carried out to the windows and
the interior was redecorated. Consideration was given to opening up the two
bricked up windows but experts were of the opinion doing so would weaken the
structure. New furniture including an Altar Table and rush chairs were
installed.
Urgent conservation repairs were carried out between
May 2005 and January 2006 to ensure the safety of the Curfew Tower for
future generations. The roof over the staircase was replaced and repairs
were carried out to some of the timbers on the North side which support the
main roof. The main roof was also re-covered. A large amount of defective
stone was replaced and the whole structure was re-pointed. The gates and
electrical equipment were overhauled, the furniture was renovated and the
Chapel redecorated. Funding for these works, which cost in excess of
£130,000, was only possible thanks to financial support from The Heritage
Lottery Fund, Heritage of London Trust and a significant donation from the
London Borough of Barking and Dagenham.