Church Of St Nicholas

The Church of St Nicholas is a Grade I listed building located on South Road in South Ockendon. It dates back to the 15th century, with a circular west tower from the 13th century and some remains from the 12th century. The church is constructed of flint rubble with Reigate stone dressings, and the roofs are tiled.

The west tower is built in four stages and features a tower arch from around 1240, which is two-centred and consists of two chamfered orders. The west doorway, dating to the 15th century, has a two-centred head, and there is a 19th-century brick window above it. The second stage of the tower contains two blocked original windows, while the upper two stages are from the 19th century.

The 15th-century nave has a north arcade with two-centred arches of two hollow chamfered orders, supported by piers with moulded bases and capitals. The clerestory, also from the 15th century, includes three original windows with two cinquefoiled lights under a four-centred head. There is a 15th-century doorway leading to the rood stair, featuring a two-centred arch, and an upper door with a two-centred head that is now blocked. The south arcade and clerestory were added in the 19th century.

The south aisle, constructed in the 19th century, has two windows and a west door. The north aisle, dating to the 15th century, contains 19th-century windows and a re-set 12th-century north doorway, which has three moulded orders adorned with enriched chevron ornament, as well as detached shafts with spiral mouldings and pellet and dog tooth ornament. The inner arch features attached columns with carved capitals.

The 15th-century north chapel has two original north windows, each with one cinquefoiled light and a square traceried head. The west arch of the chapel is two-centred. The chancel, built in the 19th century, is accessed through a 15th-century chancel arch. There is also a 19th-century vestry and a north porch. Internally, the church features brasses and Saltonstall monuments.