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St Mary The Virgin

Chigwell

Essex

Parish Church, C12, altered in C15, greatly extended in C19.Original part of flint rubble, cement rendered, with limestone dressings, roofed with handmade red clay tiles.

Architectural Features

C19 part of exposed flint rubble with limestone dressings, roofed with machine-made red clay tiles.

Nave and Chancel C12.

In the C15 a N arcade and N aisle were built, and a bell-turret in the W end of the Nave.

The S aisle (formerly the Nave) has a late C15 arcade of 4 bays of which one overlaps the former Chancel

The easternmost is of c.1400, of 2 cinquefoiled lights with vertical tracery in a 2-centred head, mostly plastered.

The third window is of C12 origin, but has been widened and altered to a window of 2 4-centred lights, mainly C19.

Further W is the C12 doorway with semi-circular arch of 4 orders, of which one has chevron ornament.

In the W wall is a I"I.ndow of 3 pointed lights in a segmental-pointed head with moulded label, probably C15, mainly plastered.

The C15 bell-turret in the ii end stands on 4 posts with 2 tiebeams and chamfered arch braces below, with vertical spandrel- struts.

It appears to pre-date the bell-turret but to have been condensed in length when that was inserted in the C15.

It may date from c.1400 or earlier.

The reredos is of carved alabaster in 3 panels with cinquefoiltracery.The roof is of 4 cants, richly painted and gilt.

The Chancel arch is 2-centred on semi-octagonal corbels with floriate carving.

In the Chancel there is a brass of Samuel Harsnett, Archbishops of York, 1631, bearded figure in mitre, cape and rochett, with book and crosier, foot and marginal inscriptions and 4 shields of arms, evangelists with their symbols and cherub-heads.

In-the Nave there is a brass recording the benefactions of Robert Rampston, 1585.

In the S chapel there is a wall-monument of Thomas Colshill, 1595, and Mary (Crayford) his wife, 1599, with kneeling figures of man, wife,and 2 daughters at prayer-desk, with side pilasters, entablature and urns (the shield of arms recorded by the RCHM is missing).

In the Nave there are wall-monuments to George Scott, 1683, and Elizabeth (Cheyne) his wife, 1705, Martin Capron, 1715, George Scott, 1780, Robert Bodle, 1785 and James Hatch, 1806.

In the S aisle there are floor-slabs to Sarah (Abdy), wife of John Penington, 1690, also John Penington, 1702, and Ann Pelling, 1712, both with shields of arms.

On the N wall of the Nave there is a brass plate to George Shillibeer, 1797-1866, who introduced the London omnibus in 1836.