St John at Hackney Church to host memorial service for the Queen this Sunday

Councillors held a minute’s silence for the Queen at a meeting earlier this week. Photograph: Julia Gregory

Mourners are set to come together at a memorial service for the Queen in Hackney this Sunday – at a church with a special link to her reign.

Hackney’s MPs, mayor, councillors and speaker will join the event at St John at Hackney on the Narrow Way in the centre of the borough.

The historic church is home to alter hangings designed for the Queen’s coronation at Westminster Abbey in 1953.

They were donated to the church after a devastating fire in 1955 that destroyed the roof, some original pews and the 18th-century organ.

Sunday’s service starts at 11am and doors open at 10am.

There will also be two television screens outside for people to follow the service.

Later that day, Hackney will join the rest of the nation in a one-minute silence at 8pm.

There will be a two-minute silence at the end of the Queen’s funeral at Westminster Abbey at around 11.55am on Monday.

In Hackney, flags will remain at half mast on the Town Hall until the end of Monday.

Those who wish to sign books of condolence at Hackney and Stoke Newington Town Halls can sign them between 9am and 5pm on Monday.

Amongst the tributes, one resident wrote: “A life of service, change and growth. A head of state who set the bar.”

There is also an online book of condolence here.

Ridley Road Market will be shut as a mark of respect to the Queen.

Libraries and council-run sports centres will be closed, as will the council’s service centre – although an emergency line will operate on 020 8356 3000.

Last Sunday, like other areas throughout the UK, Hackney Council hosted the official proclamation on the Town Hall steps of the passing of the Queen and accession of King Charles III. It was attended by hundreds of people.

The Speaker of Hackney, Cllr Humaira Garasia, and Deputy Lieutenant of Hackney, Stephen Howlett, made the declaration to the waiting crowds.

Councillors joined together to mourn the Queen at full council.