St Mary Magdalen located on Billericay High Street.
Photographs courtesy of Michael Ginn. Many thanks.
Brief History
Around 1342 a chantry chapel was built for the administration of
sacraments. This is thought to have consisted of an oak timber
framework covered on the outside with wattle and daub. It is also
thought to have had a turret because a bell with the inscription
'Galfridus: De: Hedemtun: Me: Fecit' (Geoffrey of Edmonton made me)
was saved and re-hung when a new tower was built in 1490. The bell
was recast in 1890 and survives to this day in the church
tower.
In 1490 the original timber chantry was completely rebuilt in
brick in the “Perpendicular Gothic Style”. The only
remaining part of this building is the tower and it bears similar
features to towers of the churches in Fryerning and Layer Marney.
The 1490 structure is thought to have consisted of the Tower, a
nave, a short chancel and perhaps north and south aisle.
An entry in the Royal Commission on Historical Monuments
Inventory, Essex, Vol iv MCMXXIII states the following about St.
Mary Magdalen:-
'The west tower is of late 15th century, the rest of the church
being rebuilt during the 18th century. The tower is 8 feet by 8.112
feet, the two staircases flanking the tower being modern additions.
The tower itself comprises of a two storey crow stepped parapet
projecting on trefoil corbelling with an 18th century archway
inserted.'
The church was refurbished in 2007
Elephant Procession
Between 1928, and 1952 the Revd. W.S. Smith was incumbent. He
was known for his sense of humour and delighted in the
unconventional - reflected in an unusual Christening which took
place in March 1938.
'On this occasion, two elephants proceeded along Billericay High
Street from the direction of the London Road. (presumably from the
fair ground at Sun Corner, a field situated at the junction of the
High Street and London Road). Each elephant was gently pushing a
pram before it with its trunk, on one pram was Cecily Leonie
Zametta Shufflebottom and in the other, Denise Elaine Rosaire. The
parents of Cicely had been married the previous year at St. Mary
Magdalen by Revd. W. S. Smith and they, together with the parents
of Denise, rode behind on the elephants."
The Cache
This is a simple traditional church micro in the centre of a
busy high street – so extreme stealth is required! It is
placed with permission and will be watched with interest by the
friends of the church. The cache contains the coordinates for a
bonus cache - :GC231DG
- a short walk away.
Parking
There is limited free parking in the High Street - for 30 mins. You
may be able to do this and the bonus in that time but it will be
very tight and not recommended! There is a pay and display car park
close by at N 51° 37.502 E 000° 25.010 and a 2 hour
‘free’ car park behind Waitrose at N 51° 37.465 E 000°
25.055 (free if you spend £5.00 in store!)
Church Micro Series - 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