All Saints Parish Church, Purleigh
The church was built in the 14th century from ragstone, septaria, rubble, flint and brick
Although there was a major restoration in 1892 the chancel remains 14th century as does the stained glass in the heads of the chancel.
The incumbents of Purleigh Church go back as far as 1220 when William De London was Rector.
Famous incumbents
Laurence Washington who was Rector from 1632 to 1643 was Great Grandfather of the first president of USA.
Another famous incumbent was Edmund Freake who officiated from 1567 to 1575 .
He then went on to become Canon of Westminster, Chaplain to Queen Elizabeth 1 and Archbishop of Canterbury.
Although his wife outlived him she was brought back to Purleigh for burial.
Major Restoration 1892-3
By the late 1800's it became apparent that Purleigh church was in need of a major restoration.
In 1886,the Rector, Rev Edwin Hatch obtained an estimate of 1500 pounds for the repairs and the next year launched an appeal to raise the money
Many events were held to build on substantial donations from Mr W F Tufnell (400 pounds) Oriel College(200 pounds) and Mr C W Parker (amount not listed although the whole sum was not raised until work had actually started in 1892.).
During the restoration workmen uncovered an unknown tomb with aumbry cabinet which appeared to be very old possibly belonging to a founder of the church.
The work was carried out at a cost of 1,200 pounds by Mr Letch from Braintree on the plans prepared by Frederic Chancellor.
On tuesday 31st January 1893 Purleigh Church was re-opened following 10 months of restoration work during which services were held in the schoolroom.
The church was re-rooded and several crooked pillars , straightened. The buttresses and parts of the exterior have been strengthened.
New stone work was put in to the windows in the nave and all windows of the church filled with 'cathedral tinted glass'.
The organ was moved from the north aisle to the chancel.
The plaster ceiling was replaced by an open timber roof of deal and oak.
A wrought iron candelabrum c 1758 in the north aisle has been fitted with 4 lamps instead of candles.
The dedication service was led by the Bishop of St Albans assisted by Archdeacon Johnson..
Clergy present included - The Rector of Purleigh Rev R T Lowe, H T Maitland (Walthamstow), E R Horwood & A L Hunt (Maldon) , J Gilmore (Woodham Mortimer), R J Coling (Stow Maries), S F Williams (Cold Norton), B Wright (Sandon), G Porter (Wickford), R H Falkner (Woodham Walter), G F Tamplin (Newport), E G Andrews (Mundon) and J B Plumtree(Danbury)
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The churchyard bears a memorial to murdered policeman Sergeant Eves click here to read the story of his murder. |
Memorials inside the Church
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First Name & Surname |
Date Died |
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Giles Brianzon |
1350 |
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John Brianzon |
1370 |
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Elizabeth Burton |
16 July 1624 |
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Rev Edmund Freake |
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Mrs Cecilia Freake |
15 July 1599 |
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Rev John Freake |
4 September 1604 |
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Mrs Margaret Freake |
29 March 1592 |
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Mrs Elizabeth Hayne |
20 September 1817 |
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Rev Roger Hayne |
18 February 1810 |
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Barrington Horsemanden |
28 December 1756 |
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Rev Deniel Horsemanden |
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Mrs Lucretia Horsemanden |
13 August 1800 |
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Rev Samuel Horsemanden |
17 April 1769 |
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Mrs Susannah Horsemanden |
1691 aged 64 |
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Mrs Susanah Horsemanden |
31 January 1713 aged 48 |
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Ursula Horsemanden |
17 September 1773 aged 81 |
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Wharham Horsemanden |
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Mrs Anna Shaw |
29 December 1814 |
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Rev Thomas Shaw |
29 Jan 1785 |
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Rev R F Walker |
31 January 1854 |
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Mrs Frances Walker |
6 December 1824 |
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Josephine Isabella Young |
1853 |
Worley's - A dictionary of the County
In 1915 George Worley wrote about the Church in his Dictionary of the County
The church is a stone building comprising chancel, nave with aisles of three bays each, south porch, and west tower containing five bells.
Most of the fabric is in the decorated style, with signs of transition in the north aisle towards the perpendicular form, to which the porch (c1500) distinctly belongs.
Nearly all of the windows have fragments of the old coloured glass in their headings.
The lower part of the tower is beautifully chequered and banded with dressed black flint, and the summit is embattled.
The main fabric was thoroughly restored in 1892, and the tower more recently, the latter work being in memory of Lawrence Washington, once Rector of this parish (1633 -43) and an ancestor of the famous General George Washington.
Registers start in 1592.
Other information on the church
Click here for the story of the Washington Family.
Click here for a list of Vicars and Curates of Purleigh
Click here to read about the church bells at this church
Click here to read about the church chest at this church
Steven Potter has written Purleigh's church explained which is a a very good guide to Purleigh church. The book is available at the church and from local bookshops.
