History of St. Mary’s
The parish church of Woodham Ferrers, dedicated to St. Mary the Virgin, stands in an elevated position to the west of the village street with commanding views to the south and west. It was built during the reign of Henry II, who reigned 1154-89, on a site thought to have been previously occupied by an earlier Saxon or Norman church.
The nave, the oldest surviving part of the building, dates from around 1260. Its high trussed-rafter roof over a restored clerestory with three windows in each side is supported by an arcade of three arches on columns with show the remains of medieval paintings. It is thought that the north and south aisles, like the chancel, formed part of the original structure but were rebuilt in the early 14th century. Their roofs reflect different later periods.
The chancel, which is thought to have been built originally at the same time as the nave, was rebuilt in around 1290 and is supported externally by stepped buttresses. The chancel’s smaller window openings date from the 14th century whilst the prominent 5-section east window is late 19th century.
In common with most churches in the late 19th century,
St. Mary’s underwent major renovations in 1884.
During these renovations the remains of a 15th century ‘Doom’ painting were uncovered above the chancel arch.
The early 16th century tower of flint and stone partially collapsed and was demolished and the tower arch bricked up in 1793. The belfry now rests on a big tie beam and houses the only remaining bell. On the east end of the northern wall of the chancel there is a monument to Cecilie Sandys. She was the second wife of Edwin Sandys who was Archbishop of York between 1576 & 1588. The Sandys family lived in Edwin’s Hall, located about half a mile from the church on the eastern edge of the parish of Woodham Ferrers.
Another item of interest in the nave is the Royal Arms of the house of Hanover of about 1788, (George III), carved in wood. There is a plain 14th century font, centrally placed at the west end of the church.
The charity board at St Mary’s is hung on the internal south wall of the nave above the entrance door from the porch. The board comprises 5 lettered panels in an integral frame and itemizes four bequests from between 1715 and 1829. Three were for the benefit of the poor of the parish and one was to provide funds for the upkeep of the church.
A richly carved rood loft screen once separated the chancel from the nave. Nothing remains of this screen although there is an arched opening with steps in the upper part of the north arcade at the east end that led to the rood loft.
In 2017 an extensive new history guide was produced by local historian John Frankland, copies of which are sold in aid of St. Mary’s church and are available on request at £3.95.
