St Nicholas Church Photo

St Nicholas Church

The old church has fallen into disuse and disrepair. It now lies derelict and abandoned in the grounds of Kelvedon Hall. Despite the loss of the building there remains some continuity with the past: the bell, font and pews were moved to the new church.

For more information and history on Kelvedon Hatch, visit "Kelvedon Hatch: Local and Family History".
Transcripts of Saint Nicholas Church.

The earliest record of a church in Kelvedon Hatch is 1344, although the dedication to St Nicholas can probably be traced back to before the Norman Invasion and to Ailric, a Saxon, who was possibly a sailor or captain of a vessel. It is believed that Ailric had a small church built and dedicated to St Nicholas, the patron saint of sailors and children.
Next to the manor house was St.Nicholas's Church which had been on the site since at least 1372 and may have even dated back to before 1066. The first three John Wrights were Protestants, but early in the 17th century the next John Wright converted to Roman Catholicism. He encouraged to do this by William Byrd, the composer, who lived in nearby Stondon Massey. The Wrights were to remain devout Roman Catholics for their remaining time in Kelvedon Hall. In the new house a chapel was built, the existence of which was kept secret during the time Catholics were being persecuted. In 1753 the church was rebuilt but in 1895 it was abandoned for a new church built in the village.
In 1540 Kelvedon Hall estate was purchased by John Wright, a yeoman, and it was to remain in his family for the next 400 years. The advowson descended with the manor of Kelvedon Hall until the 19th century. However, from the early 17th century the Wrights became Roman Catholics and lost the right to present incumbents.

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