St Nicholas, Chignal Smealy
White's Directory of Essex 1848 and list of inhabitants had the following to say about Chgnall Smealy:
“CHIGNAL-SMEALY, or Little Chignal, is a very small parish near the source of a rivulet, 4½ miles North West of Chelmsford. It has only 94 Inhabitants, and about 400 acres of land, belonging to Col. Austen, Mr. L. Lindon, and other freeholders. Dives Hall, an old manor house, partly encompassed by a moat, was mostly built by the Lucklyn family, from whom it passed to the Brand; Marple, and families.
The Church (St. Nicholas), is a small brick fabric, with a tower, and one bell. It has recently undergone many repairs. In 1847, a new north aisle, with 112 free sittings was added by subscription, at the cost of about £360. The discharged rectory, valued in K.B. at £5.6s.8d., and in 1831, at £124, is in the alternate patronage of Col. Austin and Mr. Cook; and in the incumbency of the Rev. Thomas Lawton, of Suffolk. Dr. Surridge, of Felstead House, officiates. There is 18A. of glebe, but no parsonage house. There is a small Independent Chapel in the parish. The poor have, for distribution in bread, the dividends of £133.6s.8d. three per cent. Consuls purchased with £100, left by Ludy Falkland, in 1776.”
The church has been repaired a number of times since the report above. A copy of an information booklet can be found at the back of the church.
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