Architectural Features
C15 S porch.
The chancel east window is c.1400 and has vertical tracery.
One C12 window with a diapered monolithic head
an additional block with diapering above it survives in the chancel north wall, and there is a C13 lancet in the chancel south wall to the west of the vestry.
A C13 mask corbel to the west of the chancel south window may once have supported a pent roof.
the C12 north doorway has a round head and is of one plain order with moulded imposts.
The easternmost is a small, C14 window of two traceried lights set low in the wall
above it is a small C13 lancet with a trefoiled head.
Further west is a two-light C15 window.
The south door is C12, and has two orders
The C14 west tower has an embattled, C18 brick parapet.
The west window is C14 and has star-shaped tracery above two trefoiled lights.
The bell stage has a C14 trefoiled opening on the west, and C18 brick-headed openings to north and south.
The interior is notable for the C13 altar recesses adjoining the chancel arch.
The mid-C12 chancel arch is round-headed, and has two orders, the inner with chevron on plain responds, the outer moulded and supported on attached shafts with one scalloped and one cushion capital.
On either side of the chancel arch are C13 recesses, of different dates, for altar
The south recess is early C13 and is contemporary with the adjacent recess in the south nave wall
it has a C14 window set within it.
That on the north is lower and is late C13
The C15 rood loft stair, with the upper and lower doors, survive in the north nave wall
A door of uncertain medieval date leads from the chancel to the south-east vestry.
A C12 window, similar to that in the north wall is visible internally in the chancel and in the vestry.
The C14 tower arch is of two chamfered orders that die into the walls.
The chancel roof has C15 moulded wall plates.
C15 crown post roof in the nave, moulded tie beams and moulded and embattled wall plates.
The curved braces to the tie beams have carved spandrels, and the crown posts have moulded capitals and bases.
PRINCIPAL FIXTURES: C19 fittings, probably mostly by W Slater of 1857, including timber pulpit and lectern, simple C19 nave benches and choir stalls, and altar and altar rails with trefoiled arches.
The altar has riddel post with angels.
Some good C19 and C20 glass, including nave south (small window) probably by O'Connor, c.1852
HISTORY: The church was founded as a chapel of nearby Prittlewell priory, probably in the early C12 when the present church was built.
The C13 recesses by the chancel arch provided space for additional altars without the expense of adding aisles.
The tower was added, and the church given some new windows in the C14.
It was apparently refurnished in the C15, when the roofs were redone, the rood loft stair built, and the east window installed.
The south porch is also C15.
SOURCES: Bettley, J and Pevsner, N, Buildings of England: Essex, 710 RCHME Essex IV, 143-4 REASONS FOR DESIGNATION: The Church of St Andrew, Church Road, South Shoebury, is designated at Grade II* for the following principal reasons: * Parish church, nave