Church Restoration at Greensted

GREENSTED, ONGAR.- The fir roof of this ancient and highly interesting church, which was
constructed about fifty years ago, was recently found to be in a very serious state of decay in
consequence of the defective mode of tiling. A subscription, was liberally started by William
Hewitt, Esq., one of the churchwardens, who is now residing at the Hall, and a new oak roof
has just been completed. As there was no trace or remains of any former roof, and as there
was no record or drawing in existence, and as the presumption was that the architect of the
former restoration adhered, certainly in the main, to the old construction, the architect of the
new work considered it better to adhere strictly to this construction rather than introduce any
new features. At the former restoration a brick buttress had been built against the timber
work of the north wall; it was found upon examination that it had settled away, and was not in
any way assisting in the maintenance of the fabric. This has been removed, and the whole of
the north wall, composed of half oak trees placed upright against each other, is now seen in
its entirety.