All Saints crowns an extensive churchyard along the north Thames escarpment, with views towards the Thames marshes.
It is the archetypal Essex country church, built of stone, flint and other masonry, with bands of brickwork alternating with tufa and rubble walling. A bellcote that was refashioned in 1816 tops it off. The interior of the church has a calm simplicity, its boarded nave ceiling is supported by a 14th century crownpost roof over bare limewashed walls. The earliest parts date from the late 12th century, with alterations from subsequent centuries. The last were in 1837, when the west wall was rebuilt and a plain gallery on two cast iron columns was added, and in the 1890s the box pews were replaced with plain benches.
In 1996 All Saints was declared redundant, and in January 2003 it was vested in the Trust. Whilst its future was being decided All Saints was heavily vandalised and furniture and fittings were removed for safekeeping. These have been returned and refitted as part of the Trust’s repairs.
The church is open between 10.00am and 3.00pm daily.
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 sohe can keep track of the Church numbers and names to avoid duplication.