Remember the tale of a church rising from ashes? St Michael, Theydon Mount has such a story.
Let’s step back to the Middle Ages. A church stood here. It was dedicated to both St Michael and St Stephen. Then disaster struck.
In 1612 parish records noted no services for two years. The church had burned down. Rebuilding took time.
Completed in 1614 the new church was dedicated solely to St Michael. Most of the cost was paid by the Smyth family of nearby Hill Hall. Look closely. You can see their initials incised in the brickwork over the entrance door.
The Smyths used good quality bricks. These came from their own brickfields up the road. They added Renaissance decoration to the porch and tower. The chancel was different. The Rector was not wealthy. He used poorer quality bricks.
Inside St Michael, Theydon Mount is remarkably complete. It showcases early 17th century work. Original oak pews remain. See the panelling and black letter text on the south wall.
The Creed and Lord’s Prayer are present. However later memorials somewhat disguise them. These memorials honor Sir Robert Hudson of Hill Hall. They also commemorate Great War victims. The Ten Commandments are missing. An over-enthusiastic Rector painted them out in the 1960s.
The roof timbers are original. They once supported a barrel-vault plaster ceiling. This was removed in the 1920s. An old photograph from 1903 shows it. The photo also shows a 19th century gallery at the west end. It was taken down at the same time.
St Michael’s has always been the parish church for Theydon Mount since at least the 13th century. The Smyth family treated it as their own. They filled the chancel with life-size effigies. Memorial tablets and funeral hatchments cover the walls. This created an exceptional collection.
To the left of the altar stands a monument. It is alabaster and marble. It honors Sir Thomas Smyth. He was a Tudor scholar statesman and builder of Hill Hall. Latin inscriptions praise Sir Thomas. They also curse anyone who speaks ill of him.
To the right of the altar is an even finer monument. It is dedicated to William Smyth. He rebuilt the church. His wife Bridget is also featured. Their children are arranged as ‘weepers’ below.
High up in the chancel is Sir William’s tabard. It has a painted shield. A helm was once there too. It was stolen in 2010. These items were likely carried on his coffin at his funeral.
The effigy of William’s son another William is present. It includes his two wives. The first wife holds a skull. This shows she died before her husband. The second wife wears widow’s weeds. Until 2010 William’s 4-year-old son Edward knelt between them. Sadly he was stolen in the same burglary. An alabaster salamander the Smyth family emblem was also taken. Christie’s spotted these sculptures. They have now been returned.
On the opposite side of the chancel is William’s brother Thomas. He died nearly forty years later in 1668. His sculpture reflects Restoration fashion. He sports lace cuffs a cravat and a long curly wig. Wall tablets record later Smyths. Funeral hatchments display their heraldry.
A ‘Maiden’s Garland’ is another funeral item. It once hung from the roof with others. Now it is preserved in a glass case. It was carried on the coffin of a virtuous maiden. She was betrothed but died before marriage. The garland is shaped like a crown. Box sprigs paper tassels and ribbons decorate it. It symbolizes the wedding that never happened. This garland may be over 300 years old. It is the only surviving example in Essex.
By the entrance door is a tiny marble font. Its origin is unknown. It probably came from the continent. It resembles a holy water stoup.
The west window is currently removed for restoration. It contains pieces of mid-16th century stained glass. These originally came from Hill Hall. They include the Smyth emblem coat of arms and initials.
The east window is striking. It is a 20th century stained glass piece. Wilfrid de Glehn designed it. He was a close friend of John Singer Sargent. It is an allegory of the First World War. St Michael the church’s dedicatee is in the centre above a dragon. St George is on the right also slaying a dragon. Joan of Arc is on the left. Their banners intertwine symbolizing England and France uniting against evil. The figures in the background wear English and French First World War uniforms. Those crushed under St Joan’s horse are German. The window commemorates Charles Hunter. He lived at Hill Hall from 1908 until his death in 1916.
From the churchyard you can see Hill Hall mansion. It stands at a distance. Its former dominance explains St Michael’s modest size. Yet inside are items of national importance.