SHOPLAND CHURCHYARD RESTORATION PROJECT
ESSEX.
A Brief History of the Church of St Mary Magdalene
The Sad Demise of St Mary Magdalene Church
1930
Tremendous gales after Evensong inflicted catastrophic damage to the West end of the roof. This was repaired but the congregation began to dwindle.
1933
Canon Gowing has a change of heart and presses strongly for the closure of St Mary Magdalene Church.
1934
Gales once again inflicted considerable damage to the Church roof. The repairs were privately funded by Mr Dennis Brown of Beauchamps who also paid for the Church insurance and for the maintenance of the Churchyard. The Chancel by this time was in a very poor state of repair, but despite many requests, the Lay Rector failed to act.
1936
The Chancel was said to be in a “disgraceful state”
1939/40
For a very brief period, life returned to St Mary Magdalene Church, with regular military Church Parades from the nearby Butlers Camp. However, in the early 1940’s a landmine exploded 150 yds away conflicting considerable damage to the East window and roof.
