Blackwater

Places of Worship

All are welcome to join us on our visits to places of worship. Visits are
usually arranged for the first Friday of each month. The locations vary
greatly e.g. visits to places of worship sited locally are conducted in an afternoon, visits to locations some distance away may require a full day.

It has been our practice to travel by train to London at least twice each year. This has provided the opportunity to access two synagogues, the Queen’s Chapel of the Savoy and many of Wren’s churches in the East End, although there are more to see.

Travelling by car share for full day excursions has taken us to North Essex, eg Saffron Walden, Stansted Mountfitchet and into Suffolk. A full day excursion gives us the bonus of sharing lunch at a hostelry. We have the privilege of being welcomed by custodians of churches/chapels who are well versed in the historic and social history of their churches. Refreshments are usually served which provides time to chat about what we have discovered, to share personal knowledge and to ask questions.

Details of visits will be shown in the newsletter and on the web site. Sign-up sheets will be available at the monthly meetings. If interested in a particular visit please use the sign-up sheets, or notify the co-ordinator by email, or use the contact form (carrier pigeon icon to the right). This will enable us to notify you of any changes that may be necessary.

Costs include car share if used, train fare (we take advantage of ‘group savers’) and donations to the church on the day.

For further information please contact the co-ordinator, Dawn Mundy on 01621 854065 or click on the pigeon to the right to send an e-mail to the co-ordinator.

Our March meeting took place at Kelvedon and Feering, where we were given a most interesting and informative talk by Rev. Simon Garwood.

St Mary the Virgin Church, Kelvedon
A church has stood on this site for over 850 years. St Mary the Virgin is a Grade I listed building, dating back to the 11th century. The north-west corner of the nave was probably built early in the 12th century and consists of flint-rubble. A north aisle and arcade were added around 1230, followed by a south aisle (also with an arcade) around 1250. The chancel was extended around 1360 and a clerestory added in the 15th century. The north chapel and vestry date to early in the 16th century, whilst in the 19th century a south chapel was built, and the south porch almost entirely rebuilt. The building was Grade I listed in 1967.
The original churchyard is no longer used for burials but there is an extension to the churchyard on the other side of Church Street.

All Saints’ Church - Feering
The parish church stands in a rural setting close to Feering Village Green. The church contains many fine features not least the glorious East window which glows jewel like and contains many scenes from Our Lord's Passion.
Although the porch and south front of All Saints, Feering was rebuilt in brick around 1500 AD the main body of the church dates back to 13th century when it must have replaced a Norman nave since the parish once belonged to Edward the Confessor.

The altar piece, a painting by John Constable showing the risen Christ was given to the church in 1965 but this has since be replaced by a copy, the original may now be seen in St Mary the Virgin, Dedham.

Dates for your Diary
Fri Apr 5th Our April meeting will on Friday the 5th April at 11.00 a.m., where we shall be visiting St Laurence Church in Blackmore. This has been arranged by Jim Skelly. We shall meet at WMCC at a time to be arranged. There is a pub and tearoom available nearby for those requiring refreshments.
Fri May 3rd CANCELLED THE ALL DAY VISIT TO TILTY AND BROXTED

An afternoon visit to St Stephen's Church, Cold Norton, has now been arranged instead. Either meet at the Church at 2.30pm, or meet at 2pm outside WMCC for car share. (Di)
Fri Jun 7th .St Thomas Parish Church, Bradwell, and St Peter's Chapel, Bradwell Time to be confirmed, (Dawn)
Fri Jul 5th An all day visit to St Mary the Virgin Church, Great Dunmow, and St John the Evangelist, Ford End. (Sylvia)
Fri Aug 9th St Michael's and All Angels Church, Copford (am or pm to be confirmed). (Di)
Fri Sep 6th All Saints Church, Creeksea, and St Mary the Virgin Church, Burnham (am or pm to be confirmed). (Sylvia)
Fri Oct 4th Monastery of St John the Baptist, Tolleshunt Knights (am or pm to be confirmed). (Dawn)
Fri Nov 1st Bevis Marks Synagogue, London (all day). (Jim)
Fri Dec 6th A visit to a local Christmas tree festival. Di to make enquiries and to confirm whether am or pm nearer the date.
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More Group Pages
Art Appreciation Art Group
Astronomy [Maldon & District] Birding
Canesta Card and Board Games
Card Makers Community Garden
Cribbage Family History
Flower Arranging Group Gardening
Golf History and Science
Local Theatres London Theatres
Luncheon Club 3 Meditation
Memories MOTO Members on their own
Nature Walks Petanque
Places of Worship Play Reading
Reading Group REAL ALE GROUP
Rummikub Group Scottish Dancing
Scrabble Group Shakespeare Group
Short Walks Singing for pleasure
Steam Support & Befriending
Table Tennis 2 Table Tennis One
Tai Chi Walking group
Wine Group Wine Group 2