Durrant on … Stanford Rivers

The following is taken from ‘Durrant’s Handbook For Essex’ written by Miller Christy (Durrant &
Co., Chelmsford, 1887).
Stan’ford Rivers.  A. 4386; P.975; Rectory, value £1077; 2m. S.W. form Ongar.
A scattered parish, named probably form the once stony ford through the Roding, and from its
owners in the 13 th  cent. The church (St. Mary) is chiefly of stone, and consists of nave and
chancel, with a tower and small spire of timber running up through the W. end of the former. It has
no Aisles, and is therefore remarkable for its great length compared with its breadth. The nave and
probably the chancel also, is Norman, though the latter inserted doors and windows, chiefly of the
14 th  cent. (Decor.). The former has one on each side two Norman windows and a 3-light

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nondescript one. The two doors, from which the Norman work has been removed, now lead to the
rooms which were formerly the porches. The entrance, therefore, is now from the W. The chancel
has on the S. two 14 th  cent. (Decor.) windows, and one on the N., with three small square windows
above and on each side. The E. window is a fine one in the 14 th  cent., new or much restored. The
font is octagonal, of late Norman or E. Eng. Date. Its sides are  carved with pointed arches. There
are brasses to Thos. Grenville  (a child, curious, 1942) Robt. Barrow, Esq. (1503), a man in
armour, and wife (about 1540), and Ann Napper and her six sons, all kneeling (1584), also
inscriptions on the stone to several of the Petres. The Register dates from (1558). Bellhouse, ½m.
S.W., was formerly a seat of a branch of the Petre family. Here for some years dwelt the Rev.
Isaac Taylor and his sister, Jane Taylor, both celebrated writers.