St Mary Church, Chickney, Essex

The church of St Mary in Chickney, Essex is a Churches Conservation Trust church you approach down a single track road off the B1051. There is a small parking bay outside the churchyard.

The church goes back to Saxon times with additions through the years and major restoration in the late 1850s. 

There is a lot of graffiti around the south door. Of special interest is a good compass drawn daisy wheel with a marian mark inscribed over it. There is also a ladder design and a curious, serpentine cord or plait up one side of the doorway.

intersecting v design

intersecting V design

Marian Mark, Initials

compass drawn circle, daisy wheel, marian mark

initials, whw

initials, marian marks, w, m, vv

initials, marian w

marian marks, w, m, vv, dots

initials, wh, w, ap

dot and line marks, serpentine chain

Serpentine chain, initials, marian marks

Half arrow

Pencil drawn design

St Mary, Chickney

Inside the church is whitewashed and bare. Most of the graffiti is of visitors’ initials.

In the south wall window near the pulpit is an IHS monogram of delicate and beautiful work next to a clear pentagram. There are also several examples of script including one for a Philemon Whale.

IHS monogram, pentagram, 5 pointed star

text

text, philemon whale

St Mary Church

Chickney

Dunmow

Essex

CM6 2BY

Report by: Anthea Hawdon