The parish church of St. Mary, seen from Gold Hill, is one of the largest and most ornate in Essex. Its design is more typical of wool churches such as those found in Suffolk.

This church was built in the latter half of the 15th century although the 13th century arcades of an earlier church between the chancel and chapels remain.

St. Mary's is a very grand church indeed being just short of 200 feet in length and is 80 feet wide. The churchyard is not very large and it is difficult to get good photographs without cutting something off.

Note the embattlements and the well decorated pinnacles.

The tower and spire reach to 193 feet in height and form a notable landmark in the area. Although the tower was built at the same time as the rest of the church the spire wasn't built until 1832.

The interior, as you can see, is extremely lofty and, consequently, some neck craning is required to see the carved tie-beams and bosses in the roof.