A simple Arts and Crafts design. That’s how the architect described Saint Thomas Upshire. But simple doesn’t do it justice. This church on Horseshoe Hill breathes history. It all began in 1858 when the Buxton family arrived at Warlies House. The village already had a reading room and a school. Church services were even held there.
Sir Thomas and Lady Victoria Buxton became deeply involved in village life. They actively supported the school and the reading room. In 1895 Lady Buxton established the Mother’s Union. A few years later Sir Thomas commissioned architects PBF Freeman and GFM Ogilvy to design a new church. Lady Victoria laid the foundation stone in December 1901.
The church opened in September 1902. It was designated a mission church under the Vicar of Waltham Abbey. Initially it wasn’t a parish church. This meant Lord Buxton retained ownership of the church and land. A burial ground was established behind the church. The congregation always aimed for parish church status. They funded their own needs through annual sales of work. This tradition continues with the popular St Thomas Summer and Christmas fairs.
The Buxtons gifted the baptismal font and a copy of Raphael’s 1517 Transfiguration painting. Other gifts included the church bell alms dishes and communion rails. Sadly both Lord and Lady Buxton passed away by the end of the First World War. Their son Sir Victor and grandson Sir Fowell Buxton oversaw the church. Sir Fowell eventually handed over responsibility to a board of trustees. The church then came under the care of the newly formed Diocese of Chelmsford.
Between the World Wars the church flourished. A Sunday school and choir were added. A village guide and scout troop were also connected to the church. The church council relentlessly pushed for parish status. When the Buxtons moved to Norfolk in the 1920s their house became a Barnardo’s home. Children from the home would walk to church every week.
During the crucial years of 1940-41 daily prayer services were held. This was when invasion seemed a real possibility. Members of the congregation joined the local Defence League. The lych gate was built in 1950. It commemorates villagers who died in both world wars. Finally in 1956 after 54 years St Thomas Upshire gained parish church status. This was in partnership with Holy Innocents Church High Beach. Rev Joseph Crompton became the first vicar. The combined parish was dissolved when Rev Crompton retired in 1980. St Thomas briefly reverted to being a daughter church. But in 1985 it achieved independent parish status within the Waltham Holy Cross Team. Today it’s part of the Waltham Holy Cross Benefice sharing a vicar with Holy Innocents. This Grade II* listed building stands as a testament to the faith and dedication of generations. It’s a place of quiet beauty. It’s a place of enduring faith. It’s Saint Thomas Upshire.