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
Church Road from the Green
This postcard, of a similar age to the earlier picture of The Green, shows Church Road with the Pigg / Rush garage on the left. You can also see Ede Negus's slate roofed cottage on the far left of the picture. This cottage has been replaced with a modern house but...
A brief background of the Chapel by Mrs Cranwell
Methodist Chapel Built 1862. "that piece of land containing by estimation twelve perches situate at Crowley End, whereon a cottage in the occupation of Widow Read formally stood, but whereon there has since been erected a Primitive Methodist Chapel." The Trustees...
1893 January 27
Hop on the train at Chrishall Railway Station? In January of 1893 there was a proposal that would have included Chrishall in the railway line that ran through to Haverhill. (Spelling as in the original article). Chelmsford Chronicle 27 January 1893 ANOTHER RAILWAY...
The Abrams family of Builden End
Samuel and Lucy Abrams lived at Builden End and had four children. Here they are outside their house in Builden End with two of their daughters. We have some lovely photographs of the Abrams family thanks to Jane Spengler and Penny Swift, relations of the Ives...
Charlie Rogers, Home Farm
A lovely photo of Charlie Rogers looking confidently down into the camera standing out the front of Home Farm in High Street. Charlie went on to marry Dorothy Rush whose parents ran the garage.
The Green 1920s?
The Green at Chrishall looking somewhat different to what it does today. This postcard is undated but possibly comes from the 1920s? It is obviously after the War Memorial was placed on the Green but I'm not sure when those large telegraph poles appeared in the...
George Cranwell
The painting above of Chrishall Chapel was done in 1915 by George Cranwell. George was the youngest son of Oswald and Ann Cranwell who lived at what is now Ramblers, Crawley End, Chrishall. Oswald and Ann had seven children, six boys and one girl: Charles, Walter,...
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Church Road then and now
This postcard of Chrishall has recently come to light and shows how much the trees and hedges have now grown up to obscure the view. This card is undated and was never used so it is difficult to say when the photograph was taken but it is of a similar style to other...
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
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- Update to the War Memorial page to include names of local special constables
