Church of All Saints (EHER 3395)

Parish church. Medieval with 19th and 20th century restoration including documented phase of 1897. It is built from septaria with pebbledashed render; limestone ashlar dressings; plain tile roofs. West tower square in plan with diagonal buttresses and stair turret to north-east. Unbuttressed nave with south porch and 3-bay chancel with off-set buttresses. The chancel arch was replaced in timber around 1615.

Original HER entry merged with NRHE data import. Parish church, All Saint's Church (C of E) [NAT] <1> The walls are of septaria rubble with dressings of limestone, and the roofs are tiled. The nave is 12th century. Early in the 14th century the chancel was rebuilt, and a porch added probably at the same time. The W tower is around 1400.The chancel arch was replaced in timber around 1615. The church has been restored in modern time; the chancel partly rebuilt, the top stage of the tower rebuilt <7>, the N vestry added and the S porch rebuilt. Features and fittings include: 12th, 14th, and 15th century windows; 14th and 15th century doorways; the upper doorway of the 15th century rood-loft staircase incorporates jambstones from a 12th century opening; late 14th century inscribed bell; 15th century brass in chancel; 13th century coffin lid in the nave; mid 14th century font (photo in RCHM); mid 15th century panelling incorporated in a modern cupboard in the vestry; 14th century piscina in the nave. <1> <2> <4> <6> Originally the mother church for Harwich. The interior, beautifully kept, is a fine example of lugubrious Victorian tastes, for which it is valuable as a rare survivor. The architectural history of the church is problematical: possibly it is merely the remnants of a major Norman church. Graded BBIb by Rodwell. <3> <5> Site Assessment The building is "all a hideous sight, being covered with pebble-dash and stark modern roof tiles". Although there is little ancient fabric or detail, there are two Norman windows in the nave. The northern example was unblocked in 1967, the southern one was opened in 1957, and thoroughly wrecked in the process. The church poses several problems, architecturally. The nave walls must have been lowered and the church may have been shortened at the west end, where the tower makes a curious junction. It is possible the present structure is but the remnant of a major Norman church. Archaeological investigation within the church is desirable should opportunity arise, particularly due to the presence of a Roman building E of the churchyard. Modern and 19th century burials are dense enough to mean little archaeology can usefully remain within the churchyard. Ground level is very high around the church, there is a shallow, blocked drainage gully, internally floors, and walls (behind the panelling) must be very damp. The interior, beautifully kept, is a fine example of lugubrious Victorian tastes, for which it is valuable as a rare survivor. <3> <5> Additional references <7> <8> <9>