Step into the Enchanting History of Chrishall in North West Essex
Welcome to Chrishall, a village steeped in history that stretches back to before the Domesday Book was penned. This website serves as your gateway to the rich tapestry of tales and traditions that define our community and its extraordinary inhabitants. Beyond the digital realm, we invite you to explore our delightful Archive, where we curate captivating displays that bring our history to life. Don’t miss out—subscribe to our newsletter for the latest updates on our events and ongoing research.
Discover What’s On
Join us at our Archive during the summer months, where we open our doors from 2 to 5 PM. Indulge in delicious refreshments as you immerse yourself in our current exhibition, which showcases the fascinating journey of the village hall and its roots as a Methodist Chapel. There are no more planned openings for 2025 but do get in touch if you would like to arrange a private visit – or keep an eye out for new dates for 2026.
Available now!
Available now!The history of Chrishall Village Hall and its background as a Primitive Methodist Chapel. This little booklet may be small but contains a wealth of information and stories about how methodism first came to Chrishall and was so embraced by the community that they contributed every penny they had, practically, to make sure they had their own building to worship in.
Copies are available at the Archive but can be posted out. Please use the contact form on this page to request copies and quote for postage.
Village walks to download
Discover the hidden gems of Chrishall with our curated walking routes. Each path tells a story of our rich history and stunning landscapes. Download our guides and embark on an adventure that connects you with the heart of our community.
Articles to read
Martinholme and The Green
Another picture of Martinholme here taken from further back near Ede Negus's cottage. You can see how much the pond encroached on the road and also how much narrower the roads were then.
Parish Registers
Following, in the Advent 2017 series, from a piece on Aunt Daisy, it seems appropriate to have something further about the church. Here Irene Cranwell explores the early church registers. These are currently being transcribed and it is hoped will be available to...
The Red Cow and brushwood
The Red Cow looking much smarter here and what looks like large piles of brushwood, stakes and poles stacked around the small shed that is now where the Red Cow car park is. It looks like someone was perhaps running a fencing and hedging business - do we know any...
1899 August 26
This little piece was reported in the Cambridge Daily News of Saturday 26th August 1899. From looking at the census, it looks like this was Dennis, son of Peter Harvey who fell from the cart. The family lived in Crawley End. Hopefully Dennis lived to tell the tale...
The Post Office at Martinholme
Martinholme clearly marked here as Chrishall Post Office. Run by the Chambers family for many years, this was apparently not only the Post Office but one of the several village shops in the village at that time. Not only was it well stocked with anything you needed...
Chrishall at work
Trying something a little new for you today - a flip book of some "Chrishall Industry". Give it a moment or two to load, particularly if you are on a slow connection. [3d-flip-book id="5192" ][/3d-flip-book]
The Red Cow in harder times
The Red Cow as a basic drinking pub rather than the lovely restaurant and activities provided by the pub today: http://www.theredcow.com/
1894 January 6
Chrishall school makes some improvements as can be seen from this article from the Essex Newsman of 1894 (32 years after the school was built). The Essex Newsman was a weekly paper first published in 1870, according to the Canvey Island Community site here who have...
Aunt Daisy
She was Aunt Daisy to generations of Sunday School children in Chrishall. But to give her her full title she was Miss Daisy Maud Revell. Aunty Daisy was one of her the most placid persons I have ever known. Nothing ruffled her and she was completely devoid of physical...
Updates to existing content:
- June 2025
- April 2025
- Additional material and photo of Mrs Guiver added to the page about Kemps
- Additional material about Nash’s Farmhouse
- Name research on the Hearth Tax details and addition of 1670 return
- January 2025
- Update to the Links page
- January 2024:
- Update to the details of Rev Leachman on the Vicars of Chrishall page
- March 2022:
- October 2022
-
- Update to the War Memorial page to include names of local special constables
