Church of St Mary and All Saints, Debden (EHER 333)

Church of 13th century origin, with considerable 18th century restoration and re-building work after the fall of the central tower in 1698 which destroyed the chancel. The nave has early 13th century arcades with circular columns, the north arcade is of about 1210 and the south arcade is of about 1220. The south aisle was rebuilt in around 1340. The south porch, with moulded roof timbers, is of the 14th century and the north aisle is of the 15th century. The clerestory and chancel were rebuilt in 1793 when the west bell turret, spire and parapets of the nave and aisles were probably added. The restoration and rebuilding was done by Richard Muilman Trench Chiswell of Debden Hall.

Monument description derived from merging EHER 333 and 35772. Original HER entry merged with NRHE data import: Debden church, parish church of St Mary and All Saints (Grade I), on the west side of the village, now isolated. A flint and stone church of 13th century origin. The nave has early 13th century arcades with circular columns, the north arcade is of about 1210 and the south arcade is of about 1220. Two of the capitals have carved foliage. The south aisle was rebuilt and probably widened in around 1340 and the south porch added at the same time. In the 15th century the north aisle was rebuilt on the old foundations. A central tower is said to have fallen in 1698. Chancel is 18th century. Features and fittings include: 14th and 15th century windows; 14th century west and south doorways; 15th century, blocked, north doorway; 14th century roof to south porch; two bells said to be 14th century, but inaccessible; 16th century iron-bound chest; 14th century piscina in south aisle. The isolated church may mark the site of a deserted medieval village. <1> - <5> Site Assessment = The 14th century porch roof is noteworthy. Among the fittings the 16th century iron-bound chest is especially interesting. RCHM reported church was in good condition, though the original external dressings were badly perished and some arches had been distorted by unequal settlement. <2> The thickness of the west wall of the nave suggests the loss of a tower. The floor of the south porch is paved with stone quarries, probably derived from chequer work on a tower. 'Visually a curious building but architecturally important'. Ground level high on north, has been cut down. 'There are many problems requiring solutions through archaeology, if the opportunity arises; clearly the 13th century church was a great one, about which we know nothing, apart from two rows of restored columns'. Churchyard was of character and interest, some of which is left despite extensive clearance. Graded BBIIb by Rodwell. <6> 1999. Trial trenching An archaeological evaluation by trial trenching at Debden Church has uncovered eight graves of post-medieval date. No evidence to support the theory that transepts had once distinguished the east end of the church was uncovered. <7> 1999. Watching brief and excavation. The positions of approximately 38 graves were recorded. Few finds were recovered and the dating evidence where available points to a 19th century date for at least three of the burials. Several other graves are probably of an 18th to 19th century date given the dates on the gravestones lined up along the northern graveyard wall, combined with the post-medieval finds recovered from the evaluation trench. Three graves produced coffin furniture in the shape of coffin nails and one contained a coffin grip assembly. Possible structural evidence was found in the form of two undated north/south orientated features. These did not appear to extend as far south as the present day church and therefore do not appear to be part of an attached northern transept. <8> See also: <9> - <12>