Site of possibly 12th century church, St Nicholas' Old Church, Hall Farm (EHER 5356)

Now destroyed. The site of a possibly 12th century church which was demolished in 1734 when it was rebuilt on a new site, see EHER 27290. Archaeological excavation in 1975 recorded many graves and the probable apsidal end of the chapel.

The parish church was rebuilt on a new site in 1734. The old church site 'is indicated by a depression in the ground south-west of Ingrave Hall'. The new church contains items from the old one. <1> The site is indicated by unevenness of ground, brick and tile and a solitary grave stone 'in situ'. <2> May 1953. Field survey. Site of this church indicated by general unevenness of the ground. Brick and tile, and a solitary grave-stone in situ. <3> 1975. Archaeological excavation. In 1975 limited excavations took place in advance of construction of a Dutch barn. They aimed to record remains which could be disturbed by the works, which were sited to try to miss the church itself. It is likely that the site had been pasture since 1734. The outline of the church and part of the churchyard boundary wall were visible under the turf. Graves were formerly visible owing to subsidence. The church's foundation date is not known, the first documentary evidence dates to 1298. Two pictures of the church survive, on estate maps of 1596 and 1689. They differ greatly but it seems likely that the earlier one is more accurate. It seems to show 'a possibly unicellular church, though the chancel roof is lower than that of the nave, with a south porch and a wooden bell-cote'. There are indications from documentary evidence that the church was in need of repair in 1703 and a charity had been set up in around 1520 to provide for repairs to the church. The limited excavations uncovered many graves and also some church features. Features revealed in the excavations were planned but not excavated as the works for the barn were not expected to disturb them below the planned level. Two features were thought to be buttress foundations and seemed 'best interpreted as the end of an apsidal chancel', probably post-conquest in date, possibly 12th century. These two features 'probably represent a last attempt to prevent the church from collapsing into the ruinous condition described by Morant'. The 1596 map shows three lancet windows high in the south wall. If correct, this would agree with a 12th century date. A south porch shown on the map seems to have a round-headed arch but this is more likely to have been a four-centred arch (possibly from the work undertaken in around 1520). Possibly the apsidal end was demolished, leaving no trace, before the 1734 demolition, to be replaced by a square-ended chancel, a possibility upheld by the position of possible post-medieval buttresses recorded in the excavations. Another possible feature contained 15th century pottery. Finds included a late 14th-15th century body sherd, two or three 15th century body sherds, one probably 15th century body sherd, a 15th century base sherd and a medieval body sherd. Small fragments of plain medieval window glass were found, also a 14th century or earlier roofing tile fragment, a 15th century floor tile fragment, a brick fragment of 15th-17th century date. Other finds included iron (nails, iron plate, hook or nail), bone, wall plaster, mortar, building stone. Two shallow features were post-dated the church but no interpretation could be attempted. Finds included post-medieval pottery, tile and brick, iron work, bone, wall plaster, mortar and building stone. The 'in situ' gravestone referred to above is presumably the one referred to in source <4> as being rediscovered and cleaned by the owner of the land. It had been visible in 1845 according to source <8>. <4> - <8> Copies of the 1596 and 1689 maps are in the record. <5> <6> Four photos of the excavations are in the record. <9> Finds are in Chelmsford Museum. <10> See also <11> <12>. Site Assessment: Site recommended for scheduling 1975. <4> Data from NRHE data transfer: Site of St Nicholas's Church [GT]. <13> Additional references. <14> <15>