Info taken from merseamuseum.org.uk/mmresdetails.php?pid=GWG_CHC&rhit=5&ba=mmwig.php

Beautifully situated on the top of a hill at the highest point of the parish, the tower of the church is a landmark for many miles around. The large manor (Abbots (Abbess) Hall belonged to the important nunnery of Barking from at Least the Norman Conquest (1066) until the dissolution of the monasteries in 1539, and with that went the patronage of the parish church, so we can assume that there was a church here from at least early Norman times. There are records of clergy here back to the 13th century. There was also from early times a chapel at Salcot-Wigborough (now Salcott Parish Church) for the convenience of that hamlet at a distance from the main parish and across the creek, but annexed to the parish church of Great Wigborough. Virley was a separate parish with its own church.

The present church of St Stephen, of septaria and rubble with tilled roofs, owing to rebuilding and restoration has no features earlier than the 14th century. The nave and chancel were built late in the 14th century, but the chancel has been completely rebuilt. Late in the 15th Century a west tower was added, also a south porch, but both have been rebuilt following the extensive damage done by the N.E. Essex Earthquake in 1884. The nave thus remains the only part of the original building, but the windows are mostly modern work. The now blocked north doorway is of late 14th century date; the south doorway is of mid 15th century date. In the northeast corner behind the pulpit is the late 14th century staircase which led to the rood-loft above the chancel screen in pre-Reformation days. The is some reused 15th century material in both tower and porch.

The severe local earthquake in 1884 which did much damage in the area between Colchester and Mersea Island, badly shook the church, dislodging pinnacles from the tower, causing serious cracks, and making the whole building unsafe. The tower had to be rebuilt, the money raised by public subscription and help from the Mansion House Fund; the foundation stone was laid by Mrs Watson on Sept 4th 1885. In 1890 the chancel was entirely rebuilt and the nave restored at a cost of £3,000 by the generosity of the rector - the Revd. Frederick Theobald. In 1895 a new vestry was built on the south side, and in 1903 the south porch restored.

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Elevation 50 m

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Wednesday 17 December

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Location: Great And Little Wigborough, Colchester, Essex, East Of England, England, United Kingdom

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