St Michael's Church, Woodham Walter

A red brick church that was built in 1563-4 by the Earl of Sussex on a licence granted by Queen Elizabeth 1.

This was the only church in Essex to have been built during the reign of Elizabeth 1

The church replaced a much older church which was in poor condition although the bell frame and roof structure from the old church were used.

The 15th century stained glass is worth viewing with other windows added in 1879 and 1898.

A major restoration was carried out in 1878 when the ceiling was replastered and many windows replaced.

The royal arms painted on wood inside date from 1660

Memorials in the church include

John Walter GREGORY D.S.C., F.R.S., F.G.S., LL.D., 'Scientist, Explorer, Teacher', 1932

Henry Guy BRYAN, 'Accompanying Govr. Gawlor on his perilous expedition into the unknown regions of South Australia, his generous endeavours to secure the Governor's personal safety, were accomplished under a mysterious providence by the painful sacrifice of his own life, December 1839, aged 18 years'

Sir Eric EASTWOOD C.B.E., Ph.D., F.R.S., 'A distinguished scientist who yielded major contributions to radar development & safety in the air', 1981

Private John Abram CAMPION, 2nd Grenadier Guards, 'killed in action near Festubert [Nord] in France', 1914

Captain Arthur Newstead FALKNER, 8th Battalion Loyal North Lancashire Regiment, 'died...of wounds received in the battle of the Somme [France]', 1916

Henry Ayrton CHAPLIN of the West African medical staff, 'died...at Salaga, West Africa [now in Ghana] while engaged in scientific research on behalf of the Government of the Gold Coast Colony', 1905

Rev Marius D'Asigny  D 1717 and his wife Priscilla D'Asigny

John Wiseman

John Solme

Anthony Buckenham ( d 1647)

Mr JJ Bygrave ( d 1841) and his wife W H Bygrave ( d 1844)

Rev Guy Bryan ( d 1870)

Rev J B Coles ( d1874)

Rev Edward Shaw (d1802)

Thomas Ffytche ( d 27/2/1777 age 70)

 

Memorials in the churchyard include

 Mary Juliana PYNE, 'for 26 years Matron of Westminster Hospital', 1927

Robert LINGE, 'A member of the Essex Constabulary for 28 years', 1909

Simon Richard MILLS, 'Incumbent of Castle Hedingham...late of Huntingdon [Huntingdonshire]', 1862

James TURNBRIDGE, 'late of the 7th Regiment Heavy Dragoons who died at Kurrachee, East India [now Karachi, Sindh, Pakistan]', 1860

Peter CREAK of Wisbeech , mariner, 1768

James Robert SMITH, 'who was drowned whilst bathing', 1870

Mary, wife of James WILKINS of Berkhamstead, Hertfordshire, 1805

Benjamin BURCHELL, 'He for many years discharged the Offices of Church Clerk and Overseer of this Parish and was universally beloved and respected for his good sense, humble and obliging disposition, uprightness of conduct, kindness and justice to the Poor and strict attention to his Religious Duties', 1835.
 

Worley's - A dictionary of the County

In 1915 George Worley wrote about the Church in his Dictionary of the County

The church was built of brick in1562-3 by Thomas , Earl of Essex, on the Gothic lines of early sixteenth century work, before the style was overshadowed by the classical renaissance.
The fabric (restored in1866-7 and again in 1888) consists of chancel, nave with north aisle, and belfry (three bells) with short broached spire, supported by great timbers within the west angle of nave.
The doorway within north porch has a squared hood-mould, with small shields in spandrels, and the door is original, still bearing its old strap hinges.
The south doorway is disused, and the porch on that side has gone.
Registers start from 1538.

Other pages about this church 

Click here to read about the church bells at this church

Click here to read about the church chest at this church

  Click here to visit the website of this Church