Prior to the Norman conquest, a large area south west of Chelmsford was known as Gigingas or Gegingas. This included the syllable ‘ing’ meaning possession and is seen in the names of Ingatestone, Fryerning, Margaretting, Mountnessing and Ingrave. It appears that the Normans divided up the territory and Ingatestone and Fryerning were known collectively as Ging-at-the-stone.
The nave is the oldest part of the building, dating from the 11th century. It is constructed of pudding stone, together with courses of flint and quartz peddles and are three feet thick. There are also occasional courses of Roman tiles. It is know there was a Roman villa in the parish. There are five rounded Norman windows, one bricked up and only visible from the outside.
The brick tower was constructed in the early 16th century by the Knights Hospitalers, replacing an earlier wooden one. The bricks are almost certainly of local origin. Two local fields are still known as Brick Kiln Field and Brick Clamp Field. Technical evidence strongly points to the tower having been constructed under Girolamo de Trevizi, architect to Henry V111.
The six bells date from the 16th century. The oldest is the second, made in 1590 by Robert Mot. Three others were made in 1716. A fifth in 1793. The treble bell dates from 1919.
The tiled porch dated from 1869. The vestry is also Victorian. The restoration of this date gives the church its present appearance. Until that time there was a flat ceiling which intersected the chancel arch and the east window. A gallery was removed from the western end. The exterior plastering was also removed. The pews and reading desk were provided. Total cost of the 1869 restorations was £1,400.
From this period dates the memorial to Edgar Disney, one of eight members of the family buried in a large tomb in the north of the churchyard.
The cache has a log book but no pen so please bring one with you.
PLEASE REPLACE THE LOGBOOK IN THE ZIPLOCK BAG AS THIS KEEPS IT DRY !!
If any body would like to expand to this series please do, could you please let sadexploration know first so he can keep track of the Church numbers and names to avoid duplication.