Built in 1874, this church's distinctively slender spire creates a focal point across the green and a scenic view that has changed little since it was built. The land on which it stands had been donated by Henry Ford Barclay who lived at Monkhams, a grand house that was demolished in 1930.

ST ALBAN'S CHURCH, Coopersale Common
Epping
Essex

 

In the mid-19th century, a Miss Harriet Archer-Houblon who lived at nearby Coopersale House was a notable benefactor to the community of Coopersale. Amongst other things Miss Archer-Houblon provided Coopersale with a school, the substantial St Alban’s Church, and a vicarage. All the buildings were designed by notable architects. The church's lych gate was added in 1907.

ST ANDREW'S CHURCH
Greensted-juxta-Ongar
Essex

 

The picturesque 11th century Greensted Church is notable for having its nave built of vertically-split logs. It is thought to be the oldest wooden church in Europe. Parts of the church are 11th century, parts are Tudor and the tower is 17th century. Graves in the churchyard include that of a 12th-century crusader.

 

CHURCH OF THE HOLY INNOCENTS
High Beach
Loughton
Essex

 

In a romantic setting in the heart of Epping Forest, the church at High Beach was built in 1873, replacing an earlier building. Alfred Lord Tennyson wrote part of his poem 'In Memoriam' sitting in the churchyard, during his stay at nearby Beech Hill House between 1837 and 1840. Tea and cakes are served at the church every Sunday afternoon from April to September, 2–5 pm.

ST JOHN'S CHURCH, LOUGHTON
Church Lane
Loughton
Essex
IG10 1PD

 

A blue plaque on the churchyard wall of St John's commemorates Thomas Willingale, the local hero who helped win Epping Forest for the people from unscrupulous landlords.

ST JOHN'S CHURCH, EPPING
St John's Road
Epping
Essex
CM16 5DN

 

There has been a place of worship on the site of the church of St John the Baptist for hundreds of years. The present church was built between 1889 and 1909 to the design of architect G.F. Bodley and has three windows by Charles Eamer Kempe. Kempe was also an architect and had done a lot of work for Ernest Wythes, the owner of nearby Copped Hall – who largely funded the building work for St John's himself.

Parts of St Mary's Church in Chigwell date back to 1160 AD and the original Norman doorway still remains. The founder of Chigwell School was vicar at St Mary's from 1597 to 1605 and had an impressive CV. A fine brass in the church commemorates him: ‘Here lies Samuel Harsnett, formerly Vicar of this church, first the unworthy Bishop of Chichester, next the more unworthy Bishop of Norwich, and finally the most unworthy Archbishop of York.’
stmaryschigwell@btopenworld.com

 

The only Grade I listed building in the borough of Redbridge, St Mary's Wanstead was designed by the great architect Thomas Hardwick and built between 1787 and 1790, replacing an earlier parish church. It is a fine example of Georgian architecture and has been little altered. Some of the monuments inside the building came from the previous church and there are interesting memorials in the churchyard, especially the 'sentry box' dedicated to the 18th century sculptor, Joseph Wilton.

 

St Mary's dates back to the 12th century but was the subject of alterations a number of times, most notably in 1816, and after 1969 when parts of the building were destroyed by fire. Certain items including the church registers which date back to 1558 were saved from that fire, but the front part of the church had to be completely rebuilt afterwards.

ST PAUL'S CHURCH
WOODFORD BRIDGE
Manor Road
Woodford Bridge
Essex
IG8

 

The church of St Paul in Manor Road was built in 1854; St Mary's being inconveniently far for Woodford Bridge's parishioners to travel. Since 1851 a classroom had been rented in the local infant school in which to hold services. The church was rebuilt out of stone, following a fire in 1886.