Church Of St Mary The Virgin

The Church of St Mary the Virgin is a Grade I listed building located on Elsenham Hall Road. Much of the church dates back to the 12th century, with the nave and chancel constructed early in that century on the site of an earlier church, likely of Saxon origin. There is a record from 1070 indicating that the church was given as an endowment to the Abbey of St Stephen in Caen, Normandy.

In the 15th century, the chancel was altered, and a west tower was added, which features three stages without buttresses, an embattled parapet, and a stair turret on the south-east corner. The south porch, added around 1500, includes embattled wall plates and a tie beam supported by octagonal crown posts, with carved spandrels on the curved braces. The south doorway is of Norman design, featuring columns with zig-zag ornamentation and carved capitals, while the tympanum displays saltire crosses. Inside the doorway, there is a stone coffin lid carved with bands of saltire crosses.

The nave contains some Norman windows and a notable chancel arch decorated with zig-zag carving and bands of saltire crosses. The nave also has a 15th-century king post roof, and the chancel features a double arched piscina with dog tooth ornamentation. Additionally, the pulpit has an early 17th-century octagonal stem. The church is situated away from the village center and is recognized for its architectural and historical significance.