Delightful Churches

St John the Baptist – Finchingfield
There is a decorated arch to the west of the tower that is well worth seeing. The lower portion of the 14th century rood screen is one of the most elaborate in Essex. A guidebook is available in the church.
Open daily.
http://www.roger.beckwith.btinternet.co.uk/
Finchingfield/church.htm
Tel 01371 810309      
                                                                                                                                               

St John the Baptist – Little Maplestead
This church is attractive, unusual and unique in Essex and is one of only five round churches in the country. Its design is modelled upon the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem.
Open daily, 0900 to 1630.
http://www.knights-hospitallers.org.uk/LittleMaplestead/LittleMaplestead_home.htm
www.essexchurches.info
Tel 01787 474142                                                      Picture by John Whitworth

St Katherine – Little Bardfield
The nave and tower are fine examples of Anglo-Saxon church architecture. The East window is considered to be one of the great windows of Victorian England and there is a rare 17th Century organ.
Open Daily
Picture by Ann Abbott                                                                                                                             

St Mary & All Saints – Rivenhall
The present church was built from the remains of a roman villa the outline of which can still be made out in the land surface. The inside is peaceful and light. The Victorians gave the church its present appearance and a beautiful 12th century French stained glass window.
Open Wednesday mornings and summer Sunday afternoons, other times by arrangement.
http://www.rivenhall.org.uk/
Tel 01376 511161

St Mary the Virgin – Great Bardfield
This church has a medieval stone rood screen, one of only three in Northern Europe, stained glass windows incorporate surviving medieval glass, and carved 16th century beams and a fine Victorian high altar also feature.
Open daily.
Tel 01371 810038

St Michael’s – Braintree
Founded in 1199, many additions have been made to the rectangular church over the years. The spire is one of the largest in Essex. Stop in the Tourist Information Centre in Braintree for a tour book.
http://www.stmichaelsbtree.co.uk/service.htm
Tel 01376 325266

St Nicholas – Little Braxted
You might think it’s not worth opening the door as you approach this small medieval church, but the whole interior is lavishly decorated. Built around 1120 the church is aimed southeast towards the point on the horizon where the sun rises on St Nicolas Day. Visitors will not be disappointed.
Open Daily.

St Nicholas – Castle Hedingham
This church is late Norman with building commencing in around 1180. The fine double hammer-beam rood is attributed to Thomas Loveday, who was also responsible for work on St John’s College, Cambridge.
Usually open daily, 0900 to 1700.
http://www.st-peters-siblehedingham.co.uk/
For guided tours Tel 01787 460274

St Nicholas - Witham
Set on Chipping Hill, the ancient centre of the town, St Nicolas Church is a gothic marvel. The present structure dates from the 14th and 15th centuries, but the site has been used for worship since time in memorial. The building has the best of the new as well as the old, with a stunning pipe organ installed in 2002 and a lively congregation serving the town.
Open daily in school term time 0900 to 1500
www.withamparishchurch.org.uk
Tel 01376 513509

St Peter’s – Coggeshall
This fascinating 15th Century building is one of the ancient ‘wool’ churches of East Anglia. Originally a Norman church site, the present St Peters is now one of the largest churches in Essex and was considered as a possible cathedral for Essex.
Open daily
http://www.st-peter-ad-vincula.org.uk/
Tel 01376 561796

The Deanery Church of St Mary’s - Bocking
The church was originally founded at the beginning of the 11th century, though the present building is late Gothic dating mainly from the 15th and 16th Centuries. Owing to a quirk of history, Bocking parish comes under the jurisdiction of the Archbishop of Canterbury.
http://www.stmarys-bocking.co.uk
Tel 01376 553092

For further information and pictures of churches in Essex go to
www.essexchurches.com
www.essexchurches.info
Many Thanks to Ian Rose, Ann Abbott and John Whitworth for use of their pictures.