THIS week in Down Memory Lane we visit the church of St Peter & St Paul our Parish Church of Grays Thurrock.

Like all our ancient churches it is full of memorials of the past and a great resource for local historians.

The church was given to the Knights Hospitaller’s in the 12th century by William de Ferrers, Earl of Derby. The grant was confirmed around 1190 by Richard FitzNeal, Bishop of London.

The rectory and the advowson of the vicarage remained with the Hospitaller’s until the Dissolution.

A series of sales can be followed – for instance, in 1777 to Zachariah Button soon to build Belmont Castle, then to the Rev H. S. Hele and on to his two sons, then to James Theobald (of the Theobald Arms pub), lord of the manor, until finally, in 1922, it was conveyed to the Bishop of Chelmsford.

In 1921 Ilford House, in High View Avenue, was bought as the new vicarage and the old vicarage was sold to Horncastle’s to extend their furniture store and demolished in 1973.

The church is built of ragstone and flint rubble with limestone dressings. It was largely rebuilt in the 19th century. On some recent visits to the church I discussed with Rev Darren Barlow and John Webb the fascinating history and saw the recent new works to improve the church.

The old organ has been removed to reveal the original William Palmer Chapel (who founded Palmer’s Endowed School in Grays and gave charitable gifts to the poor).

I discovered this old postcard image of the inside of the church, which we concluded dated prior to the installation of the organ in 1934.

It is well worth a visit on a Friday when the church is always open to visitors and you can have a nice cup of tea and a chat!

I am sure the vicar would also love to see you there on a Sunday.