Wickford

St Catherine has left no impression whatsoever with me - it's very small, plain and, apparently, utterly forgettable; so much so that Pevsner doesn't mention it.

WICKFORD. A compact village round which the River Crouch swings under three bridges, it has kept in its rebuilt church a font and two bells of the 15th century. A window as old is in the vestry, and all who come will be glad that Wickford has used again its old chancel roof, handsome with carved bosses and shields. In the doorway are gates adorned with leaves and scrolls; and an attractive window to a doctor shows Christ as the healer of the sick, with a lad on crutches and a child in its mother’s arms.

Simon K -

What a lovely little church. On a busy road in an urban area, but a permanent sign on the noticeboard declares that 'Your Church Is Open Every Day', and the inner doors were hooked back.

This is a lovely little 19th century church with a surviving 14th century chancel. Lots of excellent early 20th Century glass. They preserve a high church tradition here, the sacrament reserved, candles flickering, etc. I liked it a lot. I was glad it was open, because Wickford is exactly the kind of place that needs open churches. A mile or so off on the other side of town, just before entering countryside again, I came to Runwell church, which was locked without a keyholder notice.

Flickr.