All Saints' Church, East Hanningfield
The Church Building And Its History
The first church was built there in the 7th Century by the Saxon Chief who lived where the Hall stands today, when he was converted to Christianity.
Sadly this church was burnt down by a fire that
is thought to have started in a heating stove, in 1883. Of course there
were no telephones, so a messenger travelled on horseback to Chelmsford to
summon the fire engine, which took another 45 minutes to arrive on the
scene. The heat of the fire was so great that the bells melted and fell as
a shower of molten metal in the west end of the Church. The metal was
later salvaged by the local schoolchildren.
Unfortunately the insurance of £1000 was not enough to build a new Church, so another £2500 was raised by the villagers. A retired wool merchant, Elijah Slater offered the Rector the present site, which was favoured because it was more central to the village.
The new church was built in Early English style with some chequer work, a timber belfry and a broach spire, which is octagonal in shape and sits on a square tower. Henry Stone was the architect and William Wood the builder.
The metal salvaged by the schoolchildren was used to make the new bells which were recast by Meirs and Stainbank London Bell Foundry.
Just 18 months after the fire the new church, which is the present All Saints' Church, was consecrated by the Bishop of St Albans in June 1885.
So, although our beautiful building looks as if
it has been there for many centuries, it is not very old. 
All Saints' Church is a sacred place where generations have shared times of joy and sorrow together. So the Church is more than just a building, it is a community of people who meet together to worship, pray and learn together about Christ.
For more information contact Rev'd Pamela Pennell 01277 841179
All Saints' Church, East Hanningfield © 2009