St Mary & All Saints
Lambourne, Essex
This is a rural church to savour, a small, white painted building with a neat weather boarded belfry crowned by a lead covered broach spire.
The current church of St Mary's Theydon Bois is the second church to built on the site, opening for worship in 1851. The previous church had fallen down within ten years of construction and more details can be found on a plaque in the porch.
The building is Victorian in style with nave and chancel. The tower on the south west corner has a copper clad spire, within which are three church bells transferred from the old church located on the other side of the village, which was taken down in 1844. Monuments from that building were relocated to the present building. Various saints are depicted in the stained glass windows on either side of the church, and the window at the east end is dedicated to a former Vicar.
On entering through the main door, turn and look up at the Royal Coat of Arms of James I, one of only four examples in existence. The church grounds extend to over an acre and contain several notable tombs, include that of Frances Mary Buss, a pioneer of girls education.