Although it is known as Greensted Church it correct name is St Andrews Church. The church can be found along Church Lane, Greensted- juxta**- Ongar, Essex. It is well signed posted of the A414.
Greensted Church is the oldest oldest wooden Church in the World, and the oldest ‘Stave Built’ timber building in Europe.
The name Green-Sted indicates that the Saxons who first settled here probably founding a clearing or place(Stede) in the forest that covered the area of which the only remains are found in Epping and Hainault.
The Saxons worshipped their pagan gods in the forest and the fist attempts to convert them Christianity by Augustine and Mellitus , but it was St Ched was successful who was based out of Bradwell. St Ched started working in the area around 654 AD and the first church was built not long after that and the Nave was built around 1060.
Located against the South Nave is the resting place of a 12th Century Crusader and it is believed to have been a bowman.
The body of Saint Edmund, King of East Anglia, and England’s first patron saint martyred in 869AD (the Normans replaced him later with St. George) rested in the church in 1013 on its way to Bury St. Edmunds in Suffolk.*
In 1837 as a result of a public outcry against their harsh sentence of transportation to Australia, the famous Dorset farmers known as the ‘Tolpuddle Martyrs’ were returned to England where they were given tenancies in Greensted and High Laver. *
In 1839 one of them James Brine married Elizabeth Standfield, the daughter of another of the martyrs at Greensted Church. The entry in the marriage register is still available for view in the church.
Like most churches Greensted church has seen many changes to it over the years all depending on what was the fashion at the time. Evidence can be seen today with Tudor roofing, Norman flint walls and Victorian windows.
In 1837 Philip Ray became the Rector and he started to restore the church with much of the timber work being completed by a local carpenter called John Barlow.
As recently as the 1990 work was started to stabilise the Church. The work included steel was inserted to strengthen the building
In 1995 the church was examined using the denhroconologically method which indicated that the church was constructed around 1060/1063 not 845AD as first thought. Even so it still is the oldest wooden Church in the world and the oldest wooden building standing in Europe.
Only those born in the parish are allowed to be buried at the church.
** Juxta means Near To, Close To or alongside.
CHIPPING ONGAR
Chipping Ongar is a short walk from or drive from Greensted Church. The village was a important Medieval Market town.
The village now days is well known for Ongar Castle which was an example of a late/early 12th Century Motte and Bailey. Now days only the earth works survive but these eath works do give a good indication of its size.
It is believed that the castle may have been built by Eustace II, Count of Boulogne. In 1157 King Henry II visited.
The Motte is now privately owned but can be seen via a short walk from the high street.
*Taken as a whole from the official web site. The additional sections are abbreviated are either from the guidebook or web site.
Location of Greensted Church and Chipping Ongar
Details of a Motte and Bailey.
Photos ©Wildbaynz/Windyhillflyingclub 2016
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