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Willingale is a small village situated between Ongar and
Chelmsford in the North of Essex. It's main claim to fame, apart from
briefly being considered as the location of London's third airport, is
that it has two Churches, not bad for an Village that only has a
population of about 500 people.
Their is still some speculation as to why Willingale has two
churches, one popular story is that two sisters quarrelled and each built
their own church. This story is without foundation as the churches date
from different periods.
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| The real reason is probably found in the names of the parishes: Spain &
Doe. Harvey D'Espania built Spains Hall and the Church of Willingale Spain,
giving his name to the parish, in the 12th Century. In the 14th Century the D'ou
family came to live in Willingale. Around this time the wool industry was
flourishing in Essex, and the population greatly increased. The existing church
was too small to accommodate the increased number of worshippers, and rather
than pull down the old church and replace it with a new one, a second church was
built next to the original.
The two churches are now united into one parish, the parish of Willingale.
Until 1929 they were separate and quite distinct, each with its own rector.
The Parish Church, formerly that of Willingale Doe, has the main services
through out the year, the other, formally the Parish Church of Willingale Spain
is used occasionally for special services.
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The Church of Willingale Doe is dedicated to St. Christopher. This is now the
Parish Church of Willingale. The Chancel & Nave were built about 1320, about the Middle of the 15th
Century the Tower and South Porch were added. |
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St Andrews Church, formerly the parish Church of Willingale Spain.
This is the older of the two Churches, the nave being built early in the 12th Century. The Chancel and Chancel Arch were rebuilt in the 15th Century. In the 19th Century the vestry and South Porch were added.
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Details taken from 'Willingale's Two Churches', Compiled by The Rev,
Father B. Marsden
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