All Saints - Berners Roding, Essex - April 2011

[Snapshot]

The second church I visited was All Saints, at Berners Roding.

The church looked pretty much the same as I've seen in other pictures and is completely graf-free, apart from one "Star of David" scratched into the concrete on an exterior wall.

Inside, the church is remarkably dry and free of must and mould. The floor on one side has almost given up completely and there is quite a bit of cracking of the walls but the Lecturn still stands and the old heaters look as though (with a quick clean) they would still work.

As others have observed, there are a small number of Memorial Plaques still mounted in the walls, the most poignant of which I photographed and have included a transcription below.

So, not much to report but here are a few photos:

The inscription reads:

"Sacred to the memory of Richard Eve
Son of Henry and Mary Eve
of Barnish Hall
Who died July 11th 1792
Aged 7 years

also of Mary Elizabeth Eve, sister of
the above
Who died March 19th 1808
Aged 21 years.

Let Youth prepare for Death!
lest in an unexpected moment like her
they are cut off
in the morning of life."

Thanks for looking.

Snapshot.

 

[Roy S]

Nice pictures of a charming lttle church. What's the history?, lack of religious interest locally?

 

[Snapshot]

History

I've had a browse round Google trying to find some history for this fascinating little church.

The best I can come up with is this, from Steve Birch on Flickr:

"Whilst the exact origins of the church are unknown, elements of the building appear to date from the 14th century. The nave and chancel are of an unknown date but the east and west walls are believed to be 16th century. The church once had a weather-boarded belfry that housed a single bell dated 1594 (cast by John Dyer – bell foundry Chelmsford). A survey of the church by Nikolaus Pevsner for his book “The Buildings of England – Essex” published in 1954 shows the belfry was present and it was therefore removed after this date. The whereabouts of the bell is unknown.

The church was deconsecrated in 1985 and is now in a very sorry state."

I think that kind of sums it up.

 

[Edd Essex]

Got a tip of a friend from 28dayslater site about this place, Visited it today and was unchallenged, had a good look around both inside and out, Good Pictures

 

[Snips86x]

What a cool little church. Nice pics snapshot!

 

[Foxylady]

Beautiful little church. Love it's simplicity.

 

[smiler]

Well FL got that one right, a beautiful little church, but can you imagine what it must have been like on a freezing cold Sunday going to morning mass? With only a couple of smelly paraffin heaters to warm the place!!!! Great Post, Thanks for Sharing

 

[Cuban B.]

Quite a rustic looking wee church.

 

[nelly]

I poked my head in here today after seeing you photos (when I finally found it!!!), it's a nice serene little place and your pictures do it justice

That little table came in handy as I forgot to take my tripod

 

[Landsker]

Nice little church, also good to see that its graffiti free.