The Parish church of Saint
Mary the Virgin is the largest in Essex, with an overall length of 183
feet, whilst the height of the tower and spire is 193 feet.
The East Saxons who gave
their name to Essex were pagan, but after St.Cedd led their conversion
to Christianity in the 7th century there was in all probability a Saxon
wooden church here, The massive Norman stone church that was known to
exist in 1130 was rebuilt and enlarged in the early form of the
'Decorated' period between 1250 and 1258.
Photos by kind
permission of Richard Jemmett
A
general rebuilding in the 'Perpendicular' style was begun in about 1450
and the present church takes a high place, from an architectural point
of view, among the parish churches of England. The spire, however, is
more modern, for it was built, and the upper part of the tower was
renewed, in 1832, to the design of Messrs. Rickman and Hutchinson.
Illustrated
guidebooks and postcards of the church are available at the West end of
the church, together with the Parish Magazine, and a selection of books
and pamphlets. A book, 'St Mary's Saffron Walden' by Dr Kenneth Dixon
details the history of the church and can be read in the church or
ordered (contact the parish office for details.)
