CHURCH
The early history of the church of High Ongar is
closely bound up with that of Stanford
Rivers and Little Laver (q.v.). In 1086
Eustace, Count of Boulogne, was lord of
the manors of Stanford Rivers and Little Laver. Early
in the 12th century he apparently granted the advowsons
of Stanford Rivers, Little Laver, and High Ongar to
the priory of Rumilly-le-Comte, a Cluniac house in the
Pas-de-Calais. (fn. 99) That he had possessed the advowsons
of the first two churches is not surprising. Most parish
churches in Essex originated as manorial churches and
the church is usually close to the site of an ancient manor
house whose lord possessed the advowson. At Stanford
Rivers and Little Laver there is no doubt that the
manors with which the churches are associated were
those which belonged to Count Eustace. But the manor
with which one would naturally associate High Ongar
church for topographical reasons is Nash Hall (see
above) and there is no evidence that Eustace had any
rights in that manor, or on the other hand that the
lords of Nash Hall ever had the patronage of the
church. If the church had ever belonged to Nash Hall
it had probably passed by 1086 to Count Eustace. It
is possible that the church was originally a chapel
dependent on the church of Chipping Ongar, which
belonged to Eustace as lord of Chipping Ongar. In
that case the advowson of High Ongar could have
belonged to Eustace and his successors when its church
acquired full parochial status. There was certainly a
parish church at High Ongar in 1181, when its parson
had cure of souls in Norton (Mandeville) (q.v.) and
received all the tithes from that manor, paying to the
church of Fyfield a sack of corn and a sack of oats because Norton was so near to that church. (fn. 1)
At some date between 1216 and 1227 Robert de
Cern', Rector of High Ongar, obtained licence to hold
a fair at his church each year until the king's majority. (fn. 2)
In 1229 the then rector, Sylvester de Everdon,
secured the renewal of the grant. (fn. 3) In the following
year Sylvester was granted oaks from the king's forest
in auxilium hospitandi se ad ecclesiam de Angre. (fn. 4) He
resigned from the rectory before 1237 (fn. 5) but in 1246,
when he was Archdeacon of Chester, he was granted
the advowsons of High Ongar, Stanford Rivers, and
Little Laver for fifteen years by the Prior of Rumilly. (fn. 6)
An official return of about 1254 stated that the patron
of High Ongar and Stanford Rivers was Sir Philip
Basset, by reason of his wardship of the heirs to Chipping Ongar and Stanford Rivers, and that the patronage
of Little Laver belonged to the monks of Rumilly.
'Charges' issuing from High Ongar and Little Laver
were payable to Rumilly. The value of the rectory of
High Ongar was 60 marks and that of Stanford Rivers
20 marks. (fn. 7)
Rumilly had not in fact surrendered its claim to
High Ongar and Stanford Rivers. In 1264 the king
presented to the rectory of High Ongar during the
voidance of the priory (fn. 8) and in the following year it
was expressly stated that this should not prejudice the
future rights of the priory to the advowson. (fn. 9) In
1277-80 there were several conveyances by which
Arnulph, Prior of Rumilly, and John de Rivers, lord of
Stanford Rivers, both surrendered their rights in the
churches of Stanford Rivers, High Ongar, and Little
Laver to Edward I and Queen Eleanor. Pensions from
all three churches were reserved to the priory. (fn. 10) In
1285 it was stated that the church of Stanford Rivers
was in the gift of John, de Rivers and was worth 50
marks, that the church of High Ongar was in the gift
of the king and queen and was worth 50 marks, and
that the church of Little Laver (worth 30 marks) was
also in the gift of the king and queen. (fn. 11) In 1291 the
churches of Stanford Rivers and High Ongar were both
valued at 40 marks. (fn. 12) In and after the 14th century the
king always presented to Stanford Rivers as well as to
High Ongar and Little Laver. (fn. 13)
The foregoing details are of great interest for they
may explain how there came to be a detached part of
High Ongar to the north of Stanford Rivers, some 2
miles from the main body of High Ongar parish. It
is clear that there was a dispute between Rumilly and
the lords of Stanford Rivers concerning the advowsons
of Stanford Rivers and High Ongar and that about
1280 this was resolved by both parties surrendering
their claims to the king and queen. It also appears that
between about 1254 and 1291 the value of the rectory
of High Ongar decreased from 60 marks to 40 marks
while that of Stanford Rivers increased from 20 marks
to 40 marks. It therefore seems likely that during the
dispute or after its settlement the parish of Stanford
Rivers was enlarged at the expense of High Ongar.
The evidence of 1285 shows that John de Rivers
retained some interest in the advowson of Stanford
Rivers after 1280, and it is possible that the enlargement of the parish was the consideration for which he
surrendered his claim to the patronage of High Ongar
and Little Laver. If the parish of High Ongar did in
fact lose a substantial part to Stanford Rivers it seems
most likely that this was the belt of land which now
forms the north of Stanford Rivers, running from
Marden Ash in the east to Ongar Park Hall in the
north-west, and is bounded on the south by the stream
which joins the Roding at Wash Bridge. If this area
was previously part of High Ongar it was the link
between the main body of the parish and the AshlynsOngar Park section. The area involved fits in well with
the reasonable deductions that can be made from the
valuation figures of about 1254 and 1291. If we take
the figures to mean that the total area of Stanford
Rivers was doubled by the acquisition from High
Ongar, this implies (in terms of the present acreage of
Stanford Rivers) that some 2,200 acres were added
between 1254 and 1291. The belt of land described
above is approximately of that area. A final piece of
evidence is that in the 17th century the Rector of High
Ongar enjoyed part of the tithes from 16 acres of land
near Colliers Hatch in Stanford Rivers (see below).
Colliers Hatch is in the belt that may have been transferred from High Ongar to Stanford Rivers.
The king exercised the patronage of High Ongar
until 1538 when Henry VIII granted it to Sir Richard
Rich, later 1st Baron Rich. (fn. 14) It descended with Paslow
Hall (see above) to the 4th Earl of Manchester, who
presented to the rectory in 1701. (fn. 15) John Turvin presented in 1733, no doubt by grant pro hac vice, for in
about 1755 the Duke of Manchester was returned as
patron. (fn. 16) About this time, however, the advowson
passed out of Manchester's hands. In 1770 Joseph
Henshaw was rector and patron. (fn. 17) From this time the
advowson changed hands with each new rector, being
held either by the rector himself or by a close relation. (fn. 18)
About 1942 it was acquired by the Church Association
Trust, who are the present patrons. (fn. 19)
In 1535 the rectory of High Ongar was valued at
£39 10s. 4d. (fn. 20) In 1610 the glebe was about 80 acres. (fn. 21)
In 1637 the rectory was stated to be a manor 'consisting of demeans and copyholds, viz. nine tenements in
High Ongar street, one in Shelley parish, 16 acres of
ground near Colliers Hatch'. These lands paid 'tithes
in kind for corn, after two ridges to Stanford Rivers,
and one ridge to High Ongar, which is taken standing'.
Pasture and hay ground paid tithes in kind rateably to
both parishes. Well Field, about 12 acres, paid 'the
third tenth sheaf' to High Ongar. (fn. 22) The tithes were
commuted in 1849 for £1,382. (fn. 23)
In 1610 the Rectory house contained fourteen
rooms and had extensive outbuildings. (fn. 24) It is possible
that this was the building which still stands, to the east
of the church, and which is described above (see p. 173),
for that house originally contained fourteen rooms and
dates from the late 16th or early 17th century. The
present rectory is a fine red-brick three-story house
with five windows across the front and a pedimented
porch. It is said to contain 22 rooms and was built in
the late 18th century.
The parish church of ST. MARY THE VIRGIN
consists of nave, chancel, south tower, and north vestry.
The nave dates from the middle of the 12th century
and is of flint rubble with dressings of clunch partly
replaced by limestone. The 12th-century south door
is of special interest. The chancel was built or rebuilt
in the middle of the 13th century and is also of flint
rubble. The tower, which incorporates a south porch,
dates from 1858 and is of brown brick with limestone
dressings. The vestry was added in 1885 and is of
flint rubble.
The nave retains three single-light round-headed
windows of 12th-century date, two on the north side
and one on the south. The western-most windows in
the nave, although probably of the 13th century, have
semicircular heads internally and may originally have
been of the 12th century. Both north and south doorways are original, the north door having a semicircular head and moulded imposts. Externally the
south door is of two orders, the outer having a round
arch with chevron ornament supported on attached
shafts with moulded bases and scalloped capitals. The
inner also has shafts with scalloped capitals supporting
a segmental arch with chevron ornament. Between the
arches is a tympanum of which the stones are enriched
with axe-cut ornament. There is similar ornament and
a billet mould to the label above the doorway (see
plate facing p. 184).
Externally the flint coursing of the mid-13th-century
chancel is a little more pronounced than in the nave.
An unusual feature is a string-course of clunch at silllevel in both north and south walls. There is a shallow
projection at the junction of nave and chancel on the
north side, possibly in connexion with a rood-loft stair.
The east end has three graduated lancets. Internally
they are grouped under chamfered rear arches springing from attached shafts with moulded bases and
capitals. There are two lancets in the north wall and
one in the south. The piscina is of the 13th century.
In the nave the western-most windows in both north
and south walls are 13th-century lancets. There are
two lancets at the west end which may date from the
13th century but have probably been rebuilt.
In the 14th century windows were inserted on both
north and south sides near the east end of the nave.
These have three lights with sharply pointed cinquefoiled heads. That on the south side retains a label
mould externally with corbel heads roughly restored
in cement.
In the 15th century the church was reroofed, the
chancel roof having heavily moulded wall-plates. The
nave roof has five king-post trusses, the posts being
octagonal with moulded bases and capitals and having
four-way struts. Probably at the same time a square
timber bell tower was inserted near the west end of the
nave. This had a tall spire and survived until 1858. (fn. 25)
The timbers of the western-most truss are not original
and this may have been inserted when the tower was
removed. The eastern-most truss is also new. The
rafters of both roofs are ceiled in. During the 15th
century also a two-light window with a square head
was inserted in the north wall of the chancel at the east
end, and another uniform with it in the corresponding
position in the south wall. A three-light window of
similar design in the west end of the south wall of the
chancel dates from the 19th century but may have
replaced an original 15th-century window.
The square-headed 'low side' window near the east
end of the south wall of the nave is of the late 15th or
early 16th century, and so also is the ogee-headed piscina
below it.
The brick doorway on the south side of the chancel
is probably of the 17th century. It has chamfered
jambs and a segmental head and was restored in 1883. (fn. 26)
In the early 19th century there still existed a timber
porch dated 1640 outside the south doorway of the
nave. (fn. 27)
The south side of the church was repaired in 1730-1.
It is unlikely that the work involved was extensive, for
it appears to have cost not more than £20 in addition
to the normal church rate. (fn. 28)
About 1800 it was reported that 'the church of
High Ongar is shored up and threatens downfall'. (fn. 29)
Repairs to the west end and external rendering in
Roman cement may have taken place about 1830,
when the west door was made and the shallow porch
added. This has a segmental arch and a castellated
parapet.
In 1858 the present tower was added on the south
side of the church, incorporating a south porch. (fn. 30) The
idea may have come from Bobbingworth, where a
somewhat similar tower was built in 1840. The tower
is in a late 13th-century style; it cost £800. (fn. 31) There is
evidence that a spire was planned, (fn. 32) but this was never
built. The timber bell tower was removed at this time,
and presumably also the 17th-century timber porch.
The west gallery also appears to have been built at this
time.
The chancel was thoroughly restored in 1883, the
plaster being stripped from the walls externally and a
vestry of uncertain date on the south side being cleared
away. The three-light window on the south side of the
chancel was inserted or renewed at the same time. (fn. 33)
In 1885 the north vestry was built to designs by
Frederic Chancellor. This work and that of 1883 was
carried out by Noble of Ongar. (fn. 34)
There are six bells. The two oldest are by William
Carter, 1610, and John Waylett, 1728. (fn. 35) In 1746 the
fourth bell in the peal was recast by Thomas Lester:
an entry in the vestry book records his contract with
the churchwardens. (fn. 36) Other bells are by Pack and
Chapman of London, 1775, and T. Mears, 1822 (a
recasting). (fn. 37) In 1933 a sixth bell was added and all
were rehung on a steel frame, the cost being met by
the Barron Bell Trust. (fn. 38)
The pulpit and reading-desk, mostly of 1883,
incorporate enriched panels of the late 16th or early
17th century. (fn. 39) The communion rails have turned
posts of the mid-17th century. The stone font is of
mid-or late-19th-century date. On the north side of
the chancel are two bench-ends, with shaped finials,
one having the date 1680 and the other the initials
r.s. (probably Richard Stane). West of this and below
the wall monument to Richard Stane is an imposing
early 18th-century square pew with foliated carving to
the mouldings and panels. The panelling on the north
side of the chancel is of similar date.
The coloured glass in the east windows is mostly of
the 19th century, but in each of the flanking lancets is
a shield of arms surmounted by a crown and encircled
by a wreath. The arms are those of Jane Seymour with
the initials i.r. and those of Henry VIII with the
initials h.i. (Henry and Jane). The date may be
assumed to be about 1536.
Ceiling paintings which were not obliterated until
after 1855 may have been of 17th-century origin.
In 1768 and 1855 the roof was described as 'lofty,
arched and painted with clouds and a sun rising in a
glorious manner'. (fn. 40)
The church plate consists of three silver cups dated
1683, 1702, and 1891, three silver patens of 1683,
1702, and 1749, and a silver flagon of 1883 and almsdish of 1747. The cup and paten of 1702 were given
by Mrs. Joanna Abdy and the paten of 1749 by
William Denn.
On a floor slab in the chancel is the indent of a missing 14th-century brass. This appears to have consisted of a foliated cross with a figure in the head and
an Agnus Dei at the foot. A slab in the nave has a brass
showing the standing figure of a man in early-16th-century dress. A brass in the chancel dated 1610 has
initials m.t. and a text from 1 Corinthians xv, 36. A
companion brass with initials e.t. and a text is now
lost, but a rubbing was taken about 1810. (fn. 41) Also in
the chancel is a floor slab and brass to William Tabor
(1611) Rector of High Ongar and founder of Tabor's
Almshouses (see Charities, below). Floor slabs of other
former rectors include William Alchorne (1701),
Josiah Tomlinson (1651), John Lavender (1670).
There is also a floor slab to Richard Cartar (1659) with
an inscription indicating that he was the victim of persecution. Above the Stane pew is a handsome marble
monument with Corinthian pilasters and a shield of
arms to Richard Stane of Forest Hall (1714). There
are a number of other later memorials.
John de Welde of Ongar, whose will was proved in
1337, bequeathed a cow called 'turtel' with its calf to
maintain a candle on every double festival of the year
before the great altar in High Ongar church. (fn. 42) The
will of Sir Peter Siggiswyk (proved 1503) provided
13s. 4d. for keeping his obit in the church of High
Ongar, and 8d. for the priest singing there. (fn. 43)
ST. JAMES'S Church, Marden Ash, was built in
1884 as a chapel of ease to the parish church. It was
destroyed by a German rocket in 1945. It consisted
of a nave of flint and stone, and it had one bell. (fn. 44)
Paslow Wood Common Mission Church is a rectangular roughcast building with a low-pitched hipped
slate roof. A small porch at the south end is dated
1865. Until 1895 it was a church school. (fn. 45)