HOLY TRINITY CHURCH SOUTHCHURCH

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History of the Church

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Southchurch has earlier documentary evidence than any other church in south-east Essex.  In the year 824, a Saxon thegn named Leofstan presented the manor of Sudcerca (Southchurch) to the monks of Canterbury. The name alone indicates that a church-in-the-south was then in existence.  Other lands in Southchurch were given to the monks about the same time by Ealdbhirt and his sister Salethryt. The documents relating to Leofstan's gift are preserved at Lambeth Palace, and the Archbishop of Canterbury still holds the patronage of the living.

No trace of the original wooden church remains, but the oldest parts of the present church date back to the year 1150.   The chancel probably dates from about 1250 AD.  Entrance to what is called "the old church" is through the ancient porch and splendid Norman doorway - pause to inspect the mallet and chisel marks on the stonework made by the Norman craftsmen, also the old oak door with its heavy ironwork.

At the west end of this small church, which for many centuries served a rural community, are massive wooden pillars. probably hewn from the old forest of Southchurch. These were erected in the year 1666, and on one pillar is an incision giving that date and the two initials "L.A.". Higher up on the same pillar is the date 1756, when a gallery was erected for the choir and church musicians. When this gallery was demolished a century later, the choir and orchestra went on strike in protest.

The bell, still calling people to worship, was installed in the 14th century and is inscribed "Johannes". Near the ancient font is displayed a list of 48 Rectors since the year 1287. Gilbert FitzWilliam was parson from 1193 to 1205 and in 1248 one, Alexander, was in charge. All the Rectors except one, Robert Derby, have been appointed by Archbishops of Canterbury.  The See was vacant when Derby was appointed by King Richard II in the year 1381.

The Norman windows contain Victorian stained glass, several windows being memorials. On the south side is the 14th century piscina or double stoup in good preservation, though almost certainly not in its original position, which was probably by the old north door.   There is a 13th century piscina on the south wall. On the north side of the aisle, under the 15th century arch, are four steps which once formed part of a stairway leading to a gallery of the Holy Cross  in the rood loft. A section of carved wood-work found (and now to be seen) at Southchurch Hall, is believed to be part of the old rood-loft.   On the south wall of the chancel is a small Priest's entrance and the traditional "Leper's window", although it allows no view of the altar.  It is doubtful if there were ever lepers in this place. Nearby is an indent which originally contained a half-figure, probably of a priest. On the north wall is the well-preserved and very beautiful 14th century Easter Sepulchre.  Beside it is the 14th century Aumbry, now used for the Reserved Sacrament. The old church is not rich in memorials, but there are some on the walls and floor to  Lords of the Manors of Southchurch and Thorpe.  There is some reason to believe that the bodies of Leofstan, and of Sir Richard de Southchurch  (died 1294) may be buried beneath the church, near the Easter Sepulchre.

In the year 1906 a large modern nave by Comper was added to the north wall of the ancient building which, with its north wall removed, became the south aisle of the enlarged church. The original Norman doorway with its grotesque carving was moved to form the entrance to the  new church. Three Norman windows were placed in the new north wall. A new chancel was added to the 1906 nave in the year 1931.

After the second World War, the floor level was raised as a memorial to those who gave their  lives in the war, and the chancel has been enriched by a carved reredos and chancel rails. The carved oak pulpit, clergy stall and oak pews have been installed by direct gifts,  and many of the pews were given in memory of loved-ones.

The crowning glory of the new church is the gift of the modern stained-glass East window depicting much of the long history of Southchurch, with its theme of the Benedicite. This was given to the church by the Thorby family.

A small picture of the East window (The Thorby Window) is shown here.  If you wish to see the large version and a description of the various elements click on the picture.

Visitors may be interested in the two Mass Clocks scratched on the outside of the south wall  of the old church, near the Priest's entrance. These were used in the days before clocks to indicate the time of the celebration of Mass.

The Church plate includes a chalice and paten dated 1682 and the parish records go back to  the same year. The two processional lanterns were a gift from the Palmer family, the Gush family presented the two large candlesticks used in the sanctuary.  The servers candlesticks were a gift from Peter Marshall in memory of his wife.

In the year 1788 there were twenty houses in the parish, and the Sacrament  was administered four times a year. In the year 1851 the population had increased to 455. With the growth of the population, the parish of Southchurch was divided. In the year 1921 St. Augustine's and Christ Church became separate parishes. The church Inventory in 1552 shows "one chalyss, one pix, two bells, one old chest, one albe, two surplisses, two altar cloths, and two towels"; also an amount of £8 l0s. 0d. for the sale of church goods, "sold with consent of the parish"-"but to whom the church wardens dyd sell the chalyss they knew not." In medieval times, Canvey apparently paid tithe to the Rector of Southchurch: and near Hadleigh there is an old post marking the boundaries of the land belonging to Southchurch.

Reformation days were comparatively uneventful in Southchurch, the incumbent under Queen Mary having not been deprived. The church wardens' records for 1682 show that they were empowered to levy a rate for church expenses, payable by every parishioner. In 1683/4 the expenses amounted to £1 16s. 2d., and three years later, the parishioners bound themselves to an annual expenditure   of £2 for the wages of a parish clerk and sexton. In 1870 the church warden, Josiah Willows, was allowed a rate of 6d. in the pound for building a new pulpit and repairing the church.  In 1807, the Visitation report says: "The church and chance are in good repair, and I believe the neatest and best kept in the county."

In 1801, when the Princess Charlotte of Wales then aged 5 stayed at the Lawn for the  sea-bathing, she attended the parish church.  The services were then being conducted by a curate, the Revd. T. Archer, later Rector of Foulness, a sporting parson who regularly rode to hounds.  On week-days he often wore his surplice over his hunting attire, and on one occasion, when hounds passed the church during a wedding, he startled the congregation with a  non-liturgical cry of "Tally Ho!"

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