However, when you get a chance, go inside the church and discover a range of interesting monuments.
Our featured photograph is of the two (now restored due to vandalism) alabaster effigies of Sir Christopher Holford and his wife made in 1608.
Set in the floor are two brasses relating to the Heies family who held the advowson of St Clement, that is, the right to present to the benefice or living of the church.
One is to Humphrey Heies and his son, also Humphrey. They died within a few mouths of each other, the father in October 1584 and the son in January 1585. They give a good indication of the fashion of the time, with capes, ruffs hose and garters.
The second brass is to Katherine Redinge, daughter of Humphrey Heies. She also wears the attire of the Elizabethan period, consisting of a broad-brimmed, round topped hat, a large ruff and, showing beneath her loose, belted over-gown, is an elaborately embroidered skirt.
Katherine died 16th December 1591, aged 24. Finally below the floor is the burial of sea captain Nathaniel Grantham, who died at sea and did not want to be buried at sea – his body appears to have been pickled in rum at sea, for the time to sail his body back to West Thurrock and formal burial!
The church fell in to disuse by 1977 and in 1987 Proctor & Gamble took up the challenge to restore, care and maintain the church as a benefit to the Thurrock community.
HISTORY FEEDBACK:
TOM Haines of Grays recalls visiting High House, Horndon-on-the-hill during the time Eileen Fowler lived there in the 1960’s.
He said: "I went to repair her telephone and she offered me tea and biscuits and we had quite a chat. I remember she was a very fit young looking lady probably in her 60’s but looking more like 40!"
HISTORY FACT OF THE WEEK:
30th July, 1906: Opening of the new beach, café, promenade and boating pool.
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