Church Of Ss Mary And Laurence

CHURCH OF SS MARY AND LAURENCE, GREAT WALTHAM

A large parish church of Norman origin, substantially constructed of flint and stone with stone dressings and some Roman tiles incorporated. The building has been extended and altered over several centuries, with 18th and 19th century brick buttresses added to the tower and south aisle.

EXTERIOR

The west tower features a castellated parapet with gargoyles and three south-facing segmental arch windows with tracery. Diagonal buttresses reinforce the tower, which includes a corner staircase turret. The lower north and south walls retain 12th century single splayed windows. Roman brick is evident in the Norman quoins of the nave and chancel, and traces of round-headed 11th to 12th century windows remain in the chancel's east wall, with early 12th century windows in the tower's north and south walls. The chancel's north and south walls display 16th century clerestory windows with drip mouldings, later insertions into the Norman fabric.

The aisles are topped with castellated parapets. The north aisle has pointed arch windows, while the south porch features a pointed arched entrance with a carved figure of Christ in a recessed niche above. Two other carved figures of saints are positioned on the corner buttress.

INTERIOR

The nave is unusually wide for a Norman church and contains a fine and rare early 16th century roof combining alternate tie beams and angel hammer beam trusses. Traces of medieval painted frescoes are said to exist over the chancel arch and on the east walls of both the chancel and nave.

The south arcade dates to approximately 1530, as does the roof of the south aisle. The north vestry has a 14th to 15th century doorway. About thirty mid-15th century oak benches with traceried ends survive as important furnishings.

The monuments include a notable example to Sir Anthony Everard (1614), featuring reclining figures of Sir Anthony and his wife within an arched recess with panelled soffit. Two brasses are present—one of 1580 and another of 1617—along with an achievement of arms and inscription to Hugh Everard of Langleys dated 1703. The north aisle retains remains of 16th century brasses to the Wiseman family. A plain 17th century font stands in the south aisle.

The rood screen, pulpit and choir stalls are all late 19th century additions. The organ was rebuilt as a memorial to those fallen in both World Wars. Medieval glass survives in the south aisle, supplemented by a number of 19th century stained glass windows by O'Connor (presumably Michael or his son Arthur, who worked for prominent architects including Pugin) and one by Jon Pace.

The church houses a peal of eight bells, the oldest cast in 1336 and the newest in 1796.

HISTORY AND ALTERATIONS

Great Waltham lies north-west of Chelmsford. During the 11th and 12th centuries, the feudal manor of Walthambury, close to the present village, was held by the De Mandeville family, later created Earls of Essex by King Stephen. The church was probably constructed in the late 11th century by Geoffrey De Mandeville, resident at nearby Pleshey Castle, and remains the most prominent building in the village. The tower, nave and chancel are principally of Norman construction. The south aisle was added in the 14th century and remodelled in 1530. In the early 16th century, the nave was heightened, given a clerestory, and the roof replaced. In 1798 the south-west corner of the tower collapsed and was repaired, later undergoing restoration in the late 19th century.

Substantial alterations and additions of the 19th century were initially undertaken by F. Chancellor and subsequently by A. Nutt. These works included construction of the north aisle and vestry, rebuilding the chancel arch and south porch, and alterations to the tower.