Essex Churches (N - S)

Built on the site of a former Saxon church, the present church was built in the early 13th century, with chancel, nave and transepts giving it a cruciform shape. The tower was completelt rebuilt in 1859, during a general refurbishment, as the former 15th century tower had been struck by lightning and was dangerously cracked. Newport Church, Essex

The south transept of St Mary's Newport contains a late 13th century portable altar known as the Newport Chest. A false bottom conceals a secret compartment. The lid is raised to form a reredos and the panel depicts from left to right, St Peter, the Virgin Mary, the Crucifixion, St John and St Paul. These are some of the earliest known oil paintings on wood. The exterior decorations suggest a Byzantium influence - the chest may have served in the Crusades.

One of the 15th century roof angels watching over the congregation in St Mary's nave.

The west wall of the north transept of St Mary's, Newport, contains two 13th century windows. Above is 14th century stained glass depicting St Katherine holding a spiked chariot wheel.

St Peter's consists of a heavily restored Norman chancel and nave, and a tower which was added in the 15th century. In 1887 church services at St Peter were performed by the Rev James Boyce, who was frequently drunk, which caused his wife to up stumps and leave him, taking her five children to Torquay for good. A local diarist wrote: " A regular scene occurred in the Church as Mr James did not make his appearance at the proper time. Waited until 20 mins past 3 and all the people left the church. When we got to as far as the school, we heard the second Bell. Turned back & went to Church and heard his farewell sermon, which was very good. He cried. He was worse for drink, but not so much so in the afternoon as the morning on account of his having such a good sleep, which accounted for his being late." Paglesham on Essex Views

Norman nave and chancel: heavily restored in 1883 by local man Zachary Pettitt who married the daughter of an oyster merchant.

The church is not dedicated to any particular saint. The nave and north and south arcades date back to the 13th century; the chancel to the 1500s. The gleaming weatherboarded belfry is from the 1960s. The church was brutally restored in 1861. Rodwell in his 1977 survey "Historic Churches - A Wasting Asset " said: "In all, Quendon provides a good example of how mis-directed zeal for restoration and 'tidying' over the course of little more than a century has achieved a near-total destruction of the church's archaeological, architectural, historical and ecological heritage - although immaculate, it is but an historical sham." Quendon Church on Essex Views site

The Saxon origins of the church can be seen in the north wall of the nave and chancel, which was later partly rebuilt and extended in the 14th century. The tower was added in the 15th century, and a brick parapet added to it during the Napoleonic War. Link to Stambridge Church on Essex Views

A Norman church with many interesting features including a typical 14th century Essex weather-boarded belfry on posts, and a distinctive Norman chancel arch. Sutton Church on Essex Views