Church history
The Building and its
development
(Click on thumbnails for larger pictures)
The Parish of Galleywood Common, was formed by Order in Council dated 2Oth Oct. 1874, from portions of the Parishes of Great Baddow, West Hanningfield, St Johns Moulsham and of the Parish of Orsett. It covers a scattered area which extends roughly from the Pumping Station (now Fowler Court) on Galleywood Road, to the turning to Wickford on the Stock Road and from Seabrights Farm on the road to Baddow, to and beyond Whites Bridge on the Margaretting Road. The boundaries were clearly marked in different places by ten boundary stones which bore the inscription ‘G.C., St. M.C.C. 1874’, which being interpreted means Galleywood Common, St Michaels Consolidated Chapelry 1874.
The foundation stone of the church was laid on 21st June 1872 by Arthur Pryor Esquire, of Hylands House, Chelmsford. The edifice was designed by Piers St Aubyn, born in 1815, the second son of the Revd. Robert St Aubyn vicar of Powick near Worcester. He was best known in Devon and Cornwall where many churches rebuilt or restored by him testify to his ability. He died on 7th May 1895 in his 81st year, and was buried at St. Michael’s Mount in Cornwall.
The Church was consecrated on Michaelmas Day, 29th September 1873 by the Bishop of Rochester, in the presence of 750 people who had gathered together from the surrounding parishes. The cost of the Church, £6,300, was entirely defrayed by Arthur Pryor, who also presented the fine peal of eight bells. These were cast by Warners of London. The tenor bell weighs nearly threequarters of a ton (744 kg). The building is in a 14th century style of architecture. The Chancel is 34 feet long, 17 feet wide and 30 feet high. The Nave is 64 feet long, 18 feet wide and 34 feet high, with North and South aisles of the same length, and 11 feet 6 inches wide, divided by two arcades of four arches each. Transepts project north and south and there is a South Porch 10 feet square.
The tower is 18 feet square and 57 feet high with octagonal pinnacles at each angle, boldly buttressed, and surmounted by an octagonal spire of Doulting Stone, 74 feet high. The total height of the Tower and Spire is thus 131 feet, and situated as it is, on a commanding height of 277 feet above sea level, it can be seen for many miles around. The Contractors were Putman & Fotheringham of London and the builder was Mr Patnam.
The East Window – is by Clayton and Bell. The central panel depicts the risen Christ with his right hand raised in blessing, and holding a victory banner in his left hand commemorating his triumph over sin and death. In the two small triangular panels above are the Alpha and Omega, the first and last letters of the Greek alphabet, signifying Christ’s presence at the beginning and end of time (In the Bible, see Revelation chapter I verse 8) This window also commemorates the dedication of the church to St Michael & All Angels. Hilltop churches like these, are often dedicated to St Michael and he appears in the top panel, bearing the sword with which he fought against the dragon ( Revelation chapter 12 verse 7). Angels appear in the other tracery lights as well as in the three main lights at the bottom. In the left hand main light, the angel Gabriel appears to Mary to announce the coming birth of Christ (Luke chapter 1 verses 26-28); in the centre light an angel guards the empty tomb following Christ’s resurrection from death (Matthew chapter 28 verses 2-7); in the right hand light an angel releases the apostle Peter from prison (Acts chapter 12 verse 7). Below the East Window is the Reredos by Burrow depicting ‘Christ and the Ministering Angels’.
The Mosaic Roundels – contain abbreviations of the name ‘Jesus Christ’ in the Greek.
The Sedilia – are two arched recesses on the south side of the Chancel, providing seats for use by clergy during the service of Holy Communion.
The Piscina – is situated in the smaller arched recess next to the SediIla and was used for washing the Communion vessels of the end of the service. The drain discharges directly to the ground, as in pre-reformation times, when it was deemed inappropriate for remnants of the consecrated wine to discharge other than into consecrated ground.
The Holy Table – is the table around which Christian believers gather as a family, to celebrate Holy Communion or The Lords Supper as it is also known – a ceremonial family meal instituted by the Lord Jesus Christ himself for his friends, and on the evening before he was put to death by being nailed on a cross, the Roman means of execution. Because of the remote position of the original Holy Table at the east end of the chancel a smaller portable table and set of rails were introduced in 1988. and these are normally placed forward of the chancel arch and so closer to the congregation.
The Cross – is a common symbol within the Christian Church and it may be found in various forms all around the building. The fact that it is an empty cross is a reminder that Christ’s death was not the end of his life and ministry, but that he is alive today, and ready to welcome all who turn to him in faith for forgiveness.
The Font – is traditionally placed near the entrance to the building to signify that entry into membership of the Church is through baptism. This font was first moved from the west end in 1976 and then to its present location in 1988. Parents bringing their children for baptism, and adults being baptised, thus now stand in full view of the congregation and are reminded of the implications of the vows they are making.
The Lectern – formerly stood on the south side of the Chancel arch, opposite the pulpit. It supported two Bibles, one for the Old Testament reading and the other for the reading from the New Testament. It now holds just one Bible, kept open as constant reminder that our faith and actions are to be in accordance with the will of God as revealed to us through the Bible.
The Pulpit – is the place where the preacher stands to explain the message of the Bible, the written Word of God. The words carved into the rail to the pulpit steps are a reminder both to the preacher and the congregation, that fundamental to the life of the Church is the death of our Lord Jesus Christ upon the cross, by which he secures forgiveness and new life to all who trust in him.
The Roof – thought by some to be the best feature of the building. It is entirely of pitch pine and the main trusses are secured with wooden pegs.
The Patterned Brickwork – may arise from the influence of architect William ButterfieId who was a master of this technique, and who used it to stunning effect at All Saints Church, Margaret Street in London. Here in St Michael’s, perhaps a little more thought was required to ensure that the patterns fitted more comfortably with the other architectural features of the building.
Chancel – is the eastern part of the building, from the Latin ‘cancellus’ meaning screen or lattice. Dates from the time when this part of a church was screened off from the congregation – but never in St Michael’s of course.
Nave – is the main part of the building where the congregation sits – from the Latin ‘navis’ meaning ship, which this part of the church is thought to resemble. The ship is sometimes used as a symbol of the Church in which the faithful are born safely over the Sea of life.
Aisles – are the extensions to each side of the nave, from the Latin ‘aIa’ meaning wings.
Transepts – are the extensions at right angles to the main axis of a church from the Latin ‘trans’ meaning across, and ‘saeptum’ meaning enclosure.
A brass tablet to the memory of Arthur Pryor was put on the north wall of the Church in 1908 and it has been the desire of all concerned over the years that this beautiful building he gave to Galleywood should be maintained in as perfect a condition as possible and improved in keeping with current developments.
Lighting – An Acetylene lighting plant was installed in 1908 at a cost of £39. This was replaced in 1935 by electric lighting through the generosity of Mrs Lavinia Keene. In 1966, the Church was rewired and new lighting installed, using fluorescent tubes and tungsten spot lamps, at cost of £540. These units began to fail in 2002 and were relaced by the current lighting installation at the beginning of 2003, at a cost of some £17,000.
Heating – The original heating apparatus was replaced in 1914 – two more radiators being added at the same time. Further improvement was made in I927 and finally in 1957, an oil fired heating system was installed.
Organ
– The organ was built by Conacher
& Co of Birmingham and was formerly in Slough Parish Church. It was brought
to Galleywood in 1924, re-erected and improved by Mr R Mead of Chelmsford and at
the same time it was insured for £1,000. It had 23 stops including a 16 ft
Violene on the pedal, and was dedicated on March 1924 by the Bishop of
Chelmsford. Then, by a generous gift from Mrs Adams, the organ was rebuilt and
the consol resited in 1953.
Bells
– In 1926, the bells were rehung on ball bearings, the bell frame was
strengthened and sallie guides were fitted. This work was carried out by
Day & Son of Eye, Suffolk at a cost of £147. It
was found in 1962 that the bell frame
needed to be replaced, and a steel one was then installed, the work being
carried out by Mears &
Stainbank of Whitechapel at a cost of £1,000.
Tower
Screen – This was added in 1955 in memory of Miss Helen Godwin, and
later the ringing chamber was fully partitioned off from the nave by a glazed
screen.
Pulpit
Handrail – The original rail was replaced by the Revd F A Roughton (Vicar
1921 - 1958). in memory of his first wife, the late Mrs E B Roughton. Later a
Clergy Stall in light oak was given in his memory by his second wife to
commemorate his many years of service to the Parish.
Church
Gates – These were erected in 1956 and dedicated as a token of gratitude
to Mrs Lavinia Keene for her great generosity to Church & Parish. The gates
were originally surmounted by two wood carvings – a delightful owl on the left
and a crown and orb on the right, but alas no more.
Toilets
– One ‘Elsan’ bucket in an outhouse until 1979 when the Church Council
decided that the building must be connected to the main drainage.The sum of £15,000
was raised to achieve this, together with the erection of a small kitchen and
toilet block at the south east corner of the building.
More
Recent Changes – A new sound system incorporating a LOOP facility for the
hard of hearing was installed in 2000 and a Welcome Desk in memory of Henry
Wreathall was given and dedicated in 2003. Plans are now in hand to improve
disabled access and facilities, coupled with a refurbishment of the entrance
porch which will also be a memorial gift. So the present generation continues to
care for and enhance Galleywood’s wonderful gift from Arthur Pryor of this
Parish church of St Michael and All Angels.