New Church Of Jerusalem

The New Church of Jerusalem is a church built around 1867 or 1868, designed by architect E.C. Gosling from London and constructed by Mr. Lake of Brightlingsea at a cost of £1,150. The building is made of gault and red brick and has two storeys with a parapet. A moulded cornice runs along the top, following the pilaster capitals at each end. The church features three bays, with the central bay projecting forward and topped by a moulded open pediment that is supported by pilasters.

The first floor has round-headed windows arranged in a 1:2:1 pattern, with the central bay featuring a circular light above a round-headed recessed arch. The ground floor has segmental-headed windows on either side, all fitted with diamond leaded glass and stained glass margins. Steps lead up to the central panelled double doors, which are set within a round-headed doorway flanked by double side pilasters with moulded capitals and topped with a flat canopy. The foundation stone was laid by William Pickstone in 1867.

Historically, Swedenborg's writings gained little attention until around 1783. In about 1809, Dr. Moses Fletcher moved to Brightlingsea as a surgeon and became a prominent member of the New Church. On August 15, 1813, Mr. Arthur Munson was ordained as the 19th New Church Minister, and a church was established at 18 New Street, which opened in 1814. However, this earlier church soon became inadequate for the growing congregation, leading to the construction of the New Church of Jerusalem to accommodate the increasing number of attendees. The Brightlingsea Society of the New Church existed from 1813 to 1968.