St. Marys Church - Mundon
St. Mary's Church - Mundon - Dec. 22
GRADE 1 : LISTED BUILDING
Cared for by 'Friends of friendless' & Community Spirit
HISTORY
This secluded location within ESSEX is know at best for Battle of Maldon which took place within the salt marshes ccAD 991between Viking invaders and Ethylredd the Unready. St. Mary's Church has unpretentious architecture that reflects this era well.
Both the church and *hall that was once present once stood surrounded by a moated enclosure that added to its protection. Only a small percentage of this is still in existence.
There are an abundance of similar moats that have been documented in the East Anglia region.. many of which contained 'livestock'..
More complete examples are still in existence within the Parish.
The Church closed in cc1970 and was said to have suffered from subsidence issues.
The 'Nave' dates back to the fourteenth century. It is constructed from stone rubble most of which had been rendered to offer further protection from the elements and strong winds that swept across the marshes with haste.
The Tudor style 'West Tower' was then constructed closely followed by the 'North Porch' which was added during the cc1600's.
The Chancel. was then re-built in the eighteenth century in a more modern brick.
The church has seen very little alterations since the early nineteenth century.
The tower which dates back to the Tudor Period is constructed from locally sourced timber presented in the ESSEX tradition. The 'skirt' ie the layer that hides the timber joists etc.. surround the roof section of which it entirely supports.
Today the main entrance is at the. base of the tower section. The interior windows shave been refashioned with shutters and installed by the 'Friends of the friendless' charity to add further protection to this unique little church.
The Tudor Noth porch was added to protect the original entrance and its carved elegant leaves - which is located on one side.
Inside the porch is a brass which depicts an unknown man and his 'two' wives.
The North doorway is of fourteenth century was carved with rosettes.
NAVE
Early nineteenth century 'Box Pews' fill the Nave, there is also a nineteenth century Pulpit. The roof despite having a ceiling actually has a 'crown post' construction. The windows that are within the area of the Nave are dated from different time periods.
The earliest example of windows are within the North Wall with 'Y' tracery. Directly opposite is another window which is from the Tudor age. The window that resides above the Pulpit is of nineteenth workmanship. Nb. The large opening/void in the west wall,
was once also a window but from a time 'before' the tower was built.
The Font is from the Victorian era.
The North side of the Nave (to the left hand side of the window) it is possible to see dilapidated evidence of medieval wall art/paintings although at this point in time they are hard to see. Red line work may well have filled parts of the interior walls.
A drawing of a face can be seen at a higher point of the wall that appears to be wearing a crown. This drawing represents the likeness of the East Anglican 'King' ; Edmund the Martyr' of ccAD841-869. The image was first seen (recently) in cc2009 when conservation work commenced.
Above the North and South entrances are oval shaped painted texts of quotes taken from 'The Book of Isaiah'
The blocked up brick archway close to the Pulpit would have once connected to a former South Chappel.
CHANCEL
Instead of the usual chancel arch... a nineteenth century timber made tympanum is found with the words 'BEHOLD THE LAMB OF GOD' painted upon it.
Inside the lighter chancel the eastern wall is painted 'trompe l''oil' which look to resemble theatre curtains and even depict an illustration of a curtain tie or tassel, and is in situ above the 'Holy Table' complete withe the 'lods prayer' and 'ten commandments' which have been also painted just below.
Behind the Alter are more words which read 'THIS DO IN REMEMBERENCE OF ME' this time the words have been painted on a long rectangular sheet of tin.
Nineteenth century stencil work is also evident around the church walls.
The church contains two memorials, one of which is in the form of a wall plaque remembering an early twentieth century Priest.. as well as a ledgestone which lays on the floor almost hidden under the left choir stalls/pews. This ledgestone is in remembrance of the 'Solly Family' and baby whom lived in Mundon Hall.
THE EXPLORE
As a group we had had another explore lined up but sadly it fell through at the last minute.. so this was actually out 'back up plan'...
With familly and other commitments most of our team were unable to attend however my self and one other managed to meet for one final explore before Christmas..
We set off from Southend and arrived late afternoon in Mundon, we had previously stopped off to get some beers and candles.
The door was unlocked and we proceeded in to the 'cared for' but unused and dilapidated Church.. we were shocked at just how dark it was inside and jad a quick look around with a powerful flashlight before arraging the candles for the photoshoot and video.
It was a lot of fun and also very interesting.. and despite not being fully abandoned..it did carry that feel quite well, no one else was around.. just the two of us and we took our time exploring the building from bottom to top.
We enjoyed a viuple of beers and chatted about how the years explores had gone so fast and talked about what plans we had for our next explore/s in 2023...
We then cleared away all the candles and swept away and dislodged dust etc that had become visable since we first arrived with a less than perfect broom we dound tucked away inside the church.
We then closed the door after making sure everything was left as it was found and drove off quietly.
FINAL THOUGHTS / SUMMERY
The church had been maintained well and it had had minor bits of work done to it to both protect it and give it a more complete look. We were extremely happy the way the photographs came out and the candles both set the mood and provided warm ambient lighting.
The 'Friends of Friendless' cherish old and unloved churches, they help stop greedy councils from tearing them down and profiting from more and more flats , house and 'affordable living' accommodation.
Since cc1957 'FOF' have campaigned and worked hard to preserve churches as 'Sermons in Stone'.
Here in the UK Friends of Friendless rely on community donations and generosity of like minded souls to help them with their mission.
They help preserve these locations for visitors and the local community, they also repair the structures when needed.
To join 'Friends of Friendless' - visit www.friendsoffriendleschurches.org.uk by joining the organisation you can help them in their quest of good will and they will keep you updated via news letters, information with regards to conservation projects and books, talks and even meetings.
Also - by visiting the forementioned web page it is also possible to make a secured donation to help their cause.
Theye also have Facebook, Twitter and Instagram accounts for futher information and their own photographs and updates.
St. Mary's Church - Mundon - Dec. 22
GRADE 1 : LISTED BUILDING
Cared for by 'Friends of friendless' & Community Spirit
HISTORY
This secluded location within ESSEX is know at best for Battle of Maldon which took place within the salt marshes ccAD 991between Viking invaders and Ethylredd the Unready. St. Mary's Church has unpretentious architecture that reflects this era well.
Both the church and *hall that was once present once stood surrounded by a moated enclosure that added to its protection. Only a small percentage of this is still in existence.
There are an abundance of similar moats that have been documented in the East Anglia region.. many of which contained 'livestock'..
More complete examples are still in existence within the Parish.
The Church closed in cc1970 and was said to have suffered from subsidence issues.
The 'Nave' dates back to the fourteenth century. It is constructed from stone rubble most of which had been rendered to offer further protection from the elements and strong winds that swept across the marshes with haste.
The Tudor style 'West Tower' was then constructed closely followed by the 'North Porch' which was added during the cc1600's.
The Chancel. was then re-built in the eighteenth century in a more modern brick.
The church has seen very little alterations since the early nineteenth century.
The tower which dates back to the Tudor Period is constructed from locally sourced timber presented in the ESSEX tradition. The 'skirt' ie the layer that hides the timber joists etc.. surround the roof section of which it entirely supports.
Today the main entrance is at the. base of the tower section. The interior windows shave been refashioned with shutters and installed by the 'Friends of the friendless' charity to add further protection to this unique little church.
The Tudor Noth porch was added to protect the original entrance and its carved elegant leaves - which is located on one side.
Inside the porch is a brass which depicts an unknown man and his 'two' wives.
The North doorway is of fourteenth century was carved with rosettes.
NAVE
Early nineteenth century 'Box Pews' fill the Nave, there is also a nineteenth century Pulpit. The roof despite having a ceiling actually has a 'crown post' construction. The windows that are within the area of the Nave are dated from different time periods.
The earliest example of windows are within the North Wall with 'Y' tracery. Directly opposite is another window which is from the Tudor age. The window that resides above the Pulpit is of nineteenth workmanship. Nb. The large opening/void in the west wall,
was once also a window but from a time 'before' the tower was built.
The Font is from the Victorian era.
The North side of the Nave (to the left hand side of the window) it is possible to see dilapidated evidence of medieval wall art/paintings although at this point in time they are hard to see. Red line work may well have filled parts of the interior walls.
A drawing of a face can be seen at a higher point of the wall that appears to be wearing a crown. This drawing represents the likeness of the East Anglican 'King' ; Edmund the Martyr' of ccAD841-869. The image was first seen (recently) in cc2009 when conservation work commenced.
Above the North and South entrances are oval shaped painted texts of quotes taken from 'The Book of Isaiah'
The blocked up brick archway close to the Pulpit would have once connected to a former South Chappel.
CHANCEL
Instead of the usual chancel arch... a nineteenth century timber made tympanum is found with the words 'BEHOLD THE LAMB OF GOD' painted upon it.
Inside the lighter chancel the eastern wall is painted 'trompe l''oil' which look to resemble theatre curtains and even depict an illustration of a curtain tie or tassel, and is in situ above the 'Holy Table' complete withe the 'lods prayer' and 'ten commandments' which have been also painted just below.
Behind the Alter are more words which read 'THIS DO IN REMEMBERENCE OF ME' this time the words have been painted on a long rectangular sheet of tin.
Nineteenth century stencil work is also evident around the church walls.
The church contains two memorials, one of which is in the form of a wall plaque remembering an early twentieth century Priest.. as well as a ledgestone which lays on the floor almost hidden under the left choir stalls/pews. This ledgestone is in remembrance of the 'Solly Family' and baby whom lived in Mundon Hall.
THE EXPLORE
As a group we had had another explore lined up but sadly it fell through at the last minute.. so this was actually out 'back up plan'...
With familly and other commitments most of our team were unable to attend however my self and one other managed to meet for one final explore before Christmas..
We set off from Southend and arrived late afternoon in Mundon, we had previously stopped off to get some beers and candles.
The door was unlocked and we proceeded in to the 'cared for' but unused and dilapidated Church.. we were shocked at just how dark it was inside and jad a quick look around with a powerful flashlight before arraging the candles for the photoshoot and video.
It was a lot of fun and also very interesting.. and despite not being fully abandoned..it did carry that feel quite well, no one else was around.. just the two of us and we took our time exploring the building from bottom to top.
We enjoyed a viuple of beers and chatted about how the years explores had gone so fast and talked about what plans we had for our next explore/s in 2023...
We then cleared away all the candles and swept away and dislodged dust etc that had become visable since we first arrived with a less than perfect broom we dound tucked away inside the church.
We then closed the door after making sure everything was left as it was found and drove off quietly.
FINAL THOUGHTS / SUMMERY
The church had been maintained well and it had had minor bits of work done to it to both protect it and give it a more complete look. We were extremely happy the way the photographs came out and the candles both set the mood and provided warm ambient lighting.
The 'Friends of Friendless' cherish old and unloved churches, they help stop greedy councils from tearing them down and profiting from more and more flats , house and 'affordable living' accommodation.
Since cc1957 'FOF' have campaigned and worked hard to preserve churches as 'Sermons in Stone'.
Here in the UK Friends of Friendless rely on community donations and generosity of like minded souls to help them with their mission.
They help preserve these locations for visitors and the local community, they also repair the structures when needed.
To join 'Friends of Friendless' - visit www.friendsoffriendleschurches.org.uk by joining the organisation you can help them in their quest of good will and they will keep you updated via news letters, information with regards to conservation projects and books, talks and even meetings.
Also - by visiting the forementioned web page it is also possible to make a secured donation to help their cause.
Theye also have Facebook, Twitter and Instagram accounts for futher information and their own photographs and updates.
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