Fourteenth century parish church, Church of All Saints, Burnham-on-Crouch (EHER 38770)

A parish church, entirely rebuilt in 1878-9, incorporating some features of an older 14th century church in its South porch and doorway. The church is constructed of random rubble and brick, and has a tiled roof.

November 1951. Grade II listed. A 14th century parish church, rebuilt in 1878-9 by Frederic Chancellor, using miscellaneous rubble reused from the former church. The building has a timber superstructure to the porch, a red clay tile roof and a timber bell-turret with shingled spire. The use of a wide variety of building materials; flint, red brick and stone rubble of various hues, creates a striking and picturesque effect. Inside, the medieval font survives from the previous building. It is an octagonal and slightly tapering font, probably dating from the 15th century, and has simple carvings of a saltaire cross and a serpent on its bowl. This church replaced an earlier, 14th century building which also comprised a nave, chancel and low West tower. The architect for the rebuilding, Frederic Chancellor (1825-1918), was a successful provincial architect based in Chelmsford where he began independent practice in 1846. He was mayor of Chelmsford seven times from 1888. He undertook many new churches and church restorations. At All Saints' church he seems to have broadly adopted the character of the previous building but with extra and attractive flourishes. November 2017. Watching brief. Archaeological monitoring recorded the mortared base of a monument with a flint rubble foundation which was uncovered 1m from the North wall of the church. This had been chopped back to install the brick surface drains which appear to be mid 20th century. The white lime mortar contained 19th century red brickwork and lumps of green sandstone. Two shallow graves were also recorded, from which a small amount of human bone was recovered in later deposits, moved by animal burrowing. Both features were oriented E-W. <2> See also photos. <3> NRHE data transfer: See also <4> <5>.