The village of Salcott-cum-Virley in Essex boasts two churches, however, only one of them has been repaired and is still active as a place of worship. The former Virley parish church remains as a picturesque ruin in a private garden. The area is seismically active, and the great Essex earthquake of 1884 destroyed hundreds of buildings, including a dozen churches, some of which were completely destroyed.
The church that has been repaired is called St Mary, and it is situated in a rural location. The church’s interior is delightful, and it reminds visitors of the Calthorpe church in Norfolk due to its High Anglo-Catholic rustic design. Behind a wire grill, the inner doors are held open with heavyweights. Visitors are welcomed to sit down and enjoy a cup of coffee or tea, an initiative started by locals to provide a space where people can rest while out for a walk.
The church’s reconstruction took place ten years after the earthquake, and the only surviving part of the original building was the tower. The rebuilding of the church took place late enough to avoid the excesses of Victorianism, but it is still representative of a High church, which is evidenced by the Roman Catholic symbol of the millennium depicted in the millennium window.
St Mary’s church is a beautiful place to visit in the area, and despite its rural location, it continues to be an active and welcoming space for visitors and locals alike.
Posted by Simon Knott on 2012-11-03 11:20:08