 Purleigh’s church (dedicated to All Saints) is situated on an elevated hill-top with splendid views over the Blackwater estuary and the Dengie peninsula, about five miles from Maldon. There was most probably a church on the site in Saxon times, but the earliest documentary evidence dates from c. 1142. The church was completely rebuilt in the early 14th century, and with some additions and modifications in the 15th and 19th centuries the structure of the church remains essentially as it was in about 1330. A modern extension with facilities was added in 2003. An interesting historical connection is that George Washington’s great-great-grandfather, Lawrence, was its rector from 1633 until 1643, when he was ejected from his living as a Royalist and “as a common frequenter of ale-houses”. The church has a very good acoustic and together with an open chancel space, attracts choirs and other music groups to give concerts in the church. |
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©2009 Maldon Festival of Arts. St Peter's Image © Maldon District Council
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