Friends of Essex Churches Trust

Waltham Abbey Arcade

Welcome to Friends of Essex Churches Trust

We revitalise buildings that make communities proud.

We raise money to award grants to preserve and improve Christian places of worship of all denominations in the historic county of Essex (including the unitary authorities of Southend-on-Sea and Thurrock together with the five London Boroughs of Barking & Dagenham, Havering, Newham, Redbridge and Waltham Forest)

Our Projects

Wethersfield, St. Mary Magdalene

Roof repairs and internal decoration

Our church, St Mary Magdalene, sits in a central spot within the North Essex village of Wethersfield. It also plays a central role in the life of the village; we are open daily, and have at least two services a...

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Ride & Stride

Hundreds of people take part in Our Ride+Stride fundraising adventure – a sponsored bike ride or walk, every year.

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Ride+Stride event

Events

  • Spring Study Day 2024

    Wednesday 8th May 2024

    Join John Vigar for visits to four interesting churches in north Essex at

    Felsted, Pleshey, Little Dunmow and Rayne

    £10 for members and £15 for non-members

    Payment is preferred via BACS using reference "Spring Study Day"
    (sort code: 20-19-95, account no.: 60427888) or a... Read More

  • Talk by Nicky Haslam

    Thursday 16th May 2024

    6.30p.m. for 7.00p.m. at Layer Marney Tower, Layer Marney, Colchester C05 9US

    Nicky Haslam, the interior designer will be giving at talk entitled “A Designer’s Life”. 

    Nicky Haslam is undeniably Britain’s ultimate interior designer, and is also known as an artist, author of... Read More

  • Spring Meeting including AGM and Gepp Lecture

    Wednesday 22nd May 2024

    Our Gepp Lecturer for 2024 will be Emily Gee, the Director for Cathedral and Church Buildings for the Church of England, who will speak on Sustaining the House of God: a strategy for our Cathedral and Church Buildings.

    The Gepp... Read More